Madrid, Spain, July 2011
Male. Presence of spots indicates subspecies miegii.
Valais, Switzerland, July 2019
Field notes and information
The males of this species are super bright red-orange. When basking with wings open they stand out dramatically in flowery meadows. It is a common butterfly of mountains in the west, becoming more widespread in the eastern Europe.
Identification & Similar species: Males with very bright upperside markings, with black marginal band becoming wider near the apex. Some individuals, and all those in central Spain, have two or three black spots and a cell spot. The underside is characteristic with a row of white spots in the post discal area on an otherwise uniform light brown ground colour.
Distribution & Flight: Mountains of central and northern Spain, France and eastwards through Italy, the Balkans and Scandinavia. Single brooded flying from June to September with peak numbers in July.
Habitat & Behaviour: Flowery meadows, damp places in hills and mountains.
Variation: Variable in many characteristics, particularly the females. Subspecies miegii is found in central Spain. The males have a black cell spot on the upperside forewing and 3 or more spots in an arc near the apex.
Valais, Switzerland, July 2019
Valais, Switzerland, July 2019
Valais, Switzerland, August 2017
Hautes Alpes, France, August 2012
SE Serbia, June 2012
Valais, Switzerland, July 2019
Valais, Switzerland, August 2017
Hautes-Pyrénées, France, July 2017
Rila Mts, Bulgaria, July 2004
Male showing dazzling red upperside - visible across meadows from great distances.
Valais, Switzerland, July 2005
Asturias Mts, Spain, July 2011
Valais, Switzerland, July 2022
Valais, Switzerland, July 2022
Bypassing the petals to access nectar at the base of the flower.
Asturias Mts, Spain, July 2011