Valais, Switzerland, July 2018
Valais, Switzerland, July 2018
Field notes and information
This is a really dark butterfly that characteristically flies over screes or areas dominated by rocks at high altitudes. It is very local and I've not seen it very often. It is also difficult to approach, being very sensitive to shadow and dark approaching lepster shaped silhouettes. Usually it is encountered at high altitudes although the books say it can be found below 2000m.
Identification & Similar species: It is a fairly large species. The ground colour is very dark black and it is often devoid of markings. Some subspecies have diffuse orange colouration and others have spots.
Distribution & Flight: It only flies in the Alps and central Italy. From mid June, at even atltitudes as high as 2400m to July and August.
Habitat & Behaviour: Typically it flies near or on rocky moraines and screes where sparse grasses can grow deep in the rocks.
Valais, Switzerland, July 2018
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Valais, Switzerland, July 2018
Valais, Switzerland, July 2018
Valais, Switzerland, July 2018
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Habitat, but far too dangerous to attempt any butterfly photography on these screes.
Valais, Switzerland, July 2018
Valais, Switzerland, July 2018