Duke Of Burgundy Hamearis lucina (9)
The Duke of Burgundy is a rapidly declining vulnerable species, the only European butterfly in the Riodinidae or metalmarks group.'Metalmarks' refers to the small metallic looking spots commonly found on their wings. One of the features which distinguishes it from the Fritillaries is the two bands of white marks running parallel on the underwings (seen here). I was fortunate to see this individual last Monday on Noar Hill, Hampshire. An average adult lifespan for the Duke of Burgundy is a mere 5 - 7 days and it is sadly approaching extinctionin in much of its range apart from the Cotswolds and edge of Salisbury Plain.
Thank you all for your kind responses.
Duke Of Burgundy Hamearis lucina (9)
The Duke of Burgundy is a rapidly declining vulnerable species, the only European butterfly in the Riodinidae or metalmarks group.'Metalmarks' refers to the small metallic looking spots commonly found on their wings. One of the features which distinguishes it from the Fritillaries is the two bands of white marks running parallel on the underwings (seen here). I was fortunate to see this individual last Monday on Noar Hill, Hampshire. An average adult lifespan for the Duke of Burgundy is a mere 5 - 7 days and it is sadly approaching extinctionin in much of its range apart from the Cotswolds and edge of Salisbury Plain.
Thank you all for your kind responses.