(Linnaeus, 1758)
Duke of Burgundy Fritillary
Description:
The Duke of Burgundy Fritillary occurs in woodland clearings, along the edges of paths in the woods, and at woodland edges. Although the populations are often very local, the numbers of butterflies can be considerable. These butterflies resemble small fritillaries, although taxonomically they belong to the blues (Lycaenidae).
Eggs are laid on the underside of the leaves of Primula species. The caterpillars feed at night, hiding themselves during the day by lying along the main nerve of the Primula leaf. They leave the larval food plants to hibernate in the litter layer.
Mostly, it has only one generation a year, but in warm areas, there may be a second generation late in the year.
Habitat:
Dry calcareous grasslands
Mixed woodland
Mesophile grasslands
Humid grasslands
Deciduous forests
Similar species:
Unmistakable