Clossiana selene (Boloria)

Cote d'Or, France, May 2004

Cote d'Or, France, May 2004

Rila Mts, Bulgaria, July 2004

Rila Mts, Bulgaria, July 2004

Rila Mts, Bulgaria, July 2004

A declining species in western Europe, it is usually fairly common where it occurs. It likes clearings in forests where it glides above the grass and low plants alighting to feed frequently on flowers. It also flies in the Rila Mts of Bulgaria, somewhat isolated from its central and northern European range. The Pearl Bordered Fritillary, C. euphrosyne, is a close relative with which it often flies. That butterfly is usually slightly earlier on the wing at the end of April, May with this species beginning to appear in mid-May.

The key differences between selene and euphrosyne are found on the underside hindwing. Both are very similar but

euphrosyne has a rather washed-out rose tinted appearance whereas selene is rather bold with relatively strong red and yellow markings.
in the basal area there is a black spot that in euprhosyne is small, round and surrounded by a yellow annulus. In selene this is relatively large, is often irregular (i.e. not round) and lacks a distinct yellow annulus.
the submarginal spots are solid black in selene, those of euphrosyne are reddish.
the post discal band has a single pearly white post cellular rectangular patch in euphrosyne which is notable for its boldness against the washed out appearance. In selene there are more pearly patches near the costa and inner margin which, with the generally bold appearance, lessens the impact of the post cellular pearly rectangle.

Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary