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Field Notes

Var, France, July 2009
Including the dark female form valezina

Susa Valley, Italy, July 2009
Female form valezina

Vaud, Switzerland, August 2006

Valais, Switzerland, August 2006

Piedmont, Italy, June 2004

Isère, France, July 2008

Var, France, August 2004

Var, France, August 2004

female form valezina

Var, France, August 2004

female form valezina

Var, France, August 2004

female form valezina

Vienna, Austria, July 2001

Vienna, Austria, July 2001

Macedonia, Greece, July 2000

This is a summer butterfly that is found from central Spain to southern Scandinavia including Ireland and southern England. It flies in mature woodlands stopping regularly at nectar sources, particularly Bramble and purple flowers such as Thistles and Knapweeds.

The underside has a lovely silvery sheen when viewed from certain angles. Unfortunately this don't show on the photos above. There are at least three forms affecting principally the underside and two the upperside. Above are two forms of underside - typical and f. argyrea. The latter has strong white markings and is rather green, lacking the subtle mauves of the typical form. On the upperside the form valezina is very well known. This only occurs in the female and is commoner in some regions than others. The upperside is very heavily dusky grey, lacking completely the rich orange of the typical butterfly.

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