BugsAlive
Issoria lathonia - the Queen of Spain Fritillary
Mont Lozère, Parc National des Cévennes, Lozère, France
Family : Nymphalidae
Subfamily : Heliconiinae
Species : Issoria lathonia
Widely distributed throughout most of mainland Europe (except for Scandinavia), parts of North Africa, and continuing eastwards through Turkey, Russia, the Caucasus, and Central Asia. It is a small-medium butterfly with a wingspan of 35-55mm, the females being slightly larger than the males. Both sexes are similar in appearance and have a distinctive wing shape compared to other fritillary species. It is a strong flier but usually stays close to the ground. Found in a number of different habitats from woodland to alpine meadows and heathland.
The larval foodplants are specific Viola species, namely Viola arvensis, Viola odorata, Viola hirta and Viola tricolor. In lowland locations there are often two broods (rarely three) per year but only one at alpine sites. Females lay their eggs singly on or near the host plant in warm, dry, and sheltered situations.
All my insect pics are single, handheld shots of live insects in wild situations.
Issoria lathonia - the Queen of Spain Fritillary
Mont Lozère, Parc National des Cévennes, Lozère, France
Family : Nymphalidae
Subfamily : Heliconiinae
Species : Issoria lathonia
Widely distributed throughout most of mainland Europe (except for Scandinavia), parts of North Africa, and continuing eastwards through Turkey, Russia, the Caucasus, and Central Asia. It is a small-medium butterfly with a wingspan of 35-55mm, the females being slightly larger than the males. Both sexes are similar in appearance and have a distinctive wing shape compared to other fritillary species. It is a strong flier but usually stays close to the ground. Found in a number of different habitats from woodland to alpine meadows and heathland.
The larval foodplants are specific Viola species, namely Viola arvensis, Viola odorata, Viola hirta and Viola tricolor. In lowland locations there are often two broods (rarely three) per year but only one at alpine sites. Females lay their eggs singly on or near the host plant in warm, dry, and sheltered situations.
All my insect pics are single, handheld shots of live insects in wild situations.