Valais, Switzerland, July 2021
Valais, Switzerland, June 2012
Field notes and information
A stricktly mountain species, frequently encountered and often common where found.
Identification & Similar species: Pale yellow but with a very heavy dusting of grey scales. Identification unlikely to cause problems in these high altitude locations. Often flies with the moorland clouded yellow, C. palaeno, which is usually obviously much more yellow in flight. It also has solid black borders to the uppersides.
Distribution & Flight: This is a high mountain butterfly only found in the Cantabrian mountains, Pyrenees, Alps and a small part of the Romanian Carpathians.
Habitat & Behaviour: High flowery alpine meadows, down to the tree line. It flies fast and erratically over open grassy areas where it can be very hard to get close to. In cool or cloudy weather they are relatively easy to approach when they rest on the ground to warm up.
Valais, Switzerland, July 2021
Grisons, Switzerland, July 2013
Valais, Switzerland, July 2006
Valais, Switzerland, July 2020
Valais, Switzerland, July 2021
Valais, Switzerland, July 2011
Valais, Switzerland, July 2009
Valais, Switzerland, July 2015
Valais, Switzerland, July 2008
Valais, Switzerland, July 2019
Valais, Switzerland, July 2019
Valais, Switzerland, July 2020
Hautes Alpes, France, July 2013
Valais, Switzerland, July 2009
Hautes Alpes, France, August 2012