Vaud, Switzerland, June 2011
Vaud, Switzerland, June 2011
Field notes and information
A local but often common species of high mountains from northwest Spain and across central Europe.
Identification & Similar species: Characterised by forewing orange spots that are wider near the apex tapering away gently. The female underside has distinctive yellow or white markings.
Distribution & Flight: N Spain, Pyrenees, Alps, Carpathians, Bosnia-Herzegovina. July/ August.
Habitat & Behaviour: Damp cool meadows amongst trees, open grassland with longer turf on slopes above the tree line.
Variation: A highly variable species in the extent and colouration of the orange markings on all wings. The subspecies constans from north Spain and the Pyrenees is usually devoid of orange markings. The form bubastis is found dominantly in one part of central Valais, Switzerland. There is speculation this should be considered as a subspecies or even a species.
Valais, Switzerland, July 2011
Ssp. bubastis. The white of the female contrasts the yellow of the male.
Valais, Switzerland, August 2019
Bern, Switzerland, August 2020
Hautes-Pyrénées, France, July 2017
Valais, Switzerland, August 2019
Valais, Switzerland, August 2019
Valais, Switzerland, August 2019
Valais, Switzerland, August 2019
Vaud, Switzerland, August 2019
Valais, Switzerland, July 2011
Ssp. bubastis. The yellow is very prominant on this male.