Alpes de Haute Provence, France, July 2009
Alpes de Haute Provence, France, July 2009
Field notes and information
Very local in southeast France and neighbouring Italy.
Identification & Similar species: A large species. The male underside hindwing is rather uniform, not mottled and has a slightly paler post discal band. The female underside is a unique and distinctive pale grey which camouflages extremely well when settled on limestone stones and rocks.
Distribution & Flight: A very local species that is only found in a small region in the Alps of southeast France, just extending into northwest Italy.
Habitat & Behaviour: Loose screes with sparse grasses, usually on very steep slopes. Both sexes glide effortlessly up and down steep slopes, frequently stopping for nectar on purple Compositae.
Alpes de Haute Provence, France, July 2009
Only the female has this distinctive grey underside.
Hautes Alpes, France, August 2012
Female.
Hautes Alpes, France, August 2012
Typical scree dominated habitat.
Hautes Alpes, France, August 2012
Female.
Hautes Alpes, France, August 2012
Ant attack.
Alpes de Haute Provence, France, July 2009
Hautes Alpes, France, August 2012
Female.