An amazingly
camouflaged Crab Spider has taken this butterfly.
Alpes de Haute
Provence, France, May 2005
Close up of
the spider.
Vaud,
Switzerland, August 2006
SE Czech
Republic, June 2001
This is a common species, particularly noticeable
in early spring when it is one of the first butterflies to emerge.
Consequently I am surprised and disappointed that I have only this one
photo of it.
It is rather distinctive with the purple undersides. In flight it
looks distinctive too, the upperside has a row of bold post submarginal
spots which can be seen as it glides low over the ground.