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Field Notes

Var, France, April 2006

Var, France, April 2006

Valais, Switzerland, June 2006

Alpes de Haute Provence, France, August 2004

Alpes de Haute Provence, France, August 2004

Var, France, August 2004

Catalonia, Spain, August 2003

Macedonia, Greece, July 2000

S Pyrenees, Spain, August 2003

S Pyrenees, Spain, August 2003

Catalonia, Spain, August 2003

Courting

As its name suggests this is a butterfly of southern Europe. It is widespread and often common. It has a lovely blue sheen on the upperside that varies with the angle of light. Superficially it is similar to the White Admiral, L. camilla which shares the southern part of its range with reducta. However, there are many differences. The hindwing basal area of reducta is a bold silvery band and the ground colour is a rich red. In contrast camilla has a pale grey basal area that is broken up by a warmer orange ground colour. The upperside forewings also have an easy distinction - reducta has a bold white cell spot, camilla may just have a shadow here.

It flies in light woodland and along roadsides cutting through denser forests. It glides gracefully with wings flat open between wing beats. It can often be found resting at about head height on shrubs and trees as if it is defending a territory. Indeed it might be but I don't recall seeing them actively pursue other butterflies from these perches - perhaps it is simply safer for this butterfly to sit in these locations.

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