Andalucia, Spain, April 2009
Andalucia, Spain, April 2009
Field notes and information
This is a widespread but extremely local species. It is actually very hard to find throughout its range and other usually commoner dappled and bath white, Euchloe, Pontia , species fly with it. It is highly variable with several subspecies described.
Identification & Similar species: Very similar to the other dappled white, Euchloe , species. The definitive identification feature is the curved hindwing costa which is angled in other similar species. Other helpful characteristics are its smaller size and more numerous small white whispy mottled spots on the underside hindwing.
Distribution & Flight: From north Africa through the Iberian Peninsular, south France and north and central Italy. It is a spring species, flying around early to mid May.
Habitat & Behaviour: Diverse in my experience. I've seen it in rides and clearings in deciduous forest, in high alpine meadows, dry grassy areas in pine forests, open grassland at mid altitudes and extremely dry scrubby land.
Variation: A number of subspecies are described, sometimes some of them are separated into species. tagis: Portugal and south Spain. bellezina: south France and northwest Italy. castellana: central & north Spain. reisseri: Moroccan Rif mountains. atlasica: Moroccan Middle Atlas. pechi: E Algeria, this subspecies is increasingly often raised to full species rank.
Andalucia, Spain, April 2009
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Granada, Spain, May 2019
Andalucia, Spain, April 2009
Andalucia, Spain, April 2009
Granada, Spain, May 2019
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Ssp. calvensis.
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Andalucia, Spain, April 2009
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