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| All contents and photographs copyright Matt Rowlings, ©2003-2008. |
| Photos: explicit permission must be obtained from Matt Rowlings for any use of any images from eurobutterflies.com. |
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Peak White
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Valais, Switzerland, June 2005 |
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Hautes Alpes, France, July 2004 (female) |
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Valais, Switzerland, July 2006 (male) |
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Distribution: High mountains of the Alps and the Pyrenees. Identification: Distinctive in its habitat, but resembles the other Bath Whites plus the Dappled Whites, genus Euchloe. Follow this link for the to the Pontia species. The underside is "streaky" compared to similar species. The female has extensive upperside black markings, the male is relatively very unmarked. Flight time: June and July, first dates increasing with altitude, but often amongst the first alpine species on the wing in the habitats. Habitat: Ranges to very high levels of around 3000m, or even higher. Also found in the valleys down to 1500m. Typically open alpine grasslands but also amongst scrub. Behaviour: Flies at terrific speeds across open grassy or rocky places. Occasionally stops to feed on alpine flowers. Additional notes: The altitudes at which this species flies are exceptional exceeding even the highest flying Erebias. Other butterflies may be found at these altitudes but these will be travelling on updrafts of warm air or on migration routes. |
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Hautes Alpes, France, July 2004 |
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Valais, Switzerland, July 2006 Still and apparently lifeless, I pulled this butterfly from the cold water and within 10 minutes it was crawling over the rocks. |
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Valais, Switzerland, June 2005 |
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French Alps, July 2003 |
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French Alps, July 2003 |