But what about the Pierids? Do they tend to get less attention? Are some of us guilty of ignoring them, especially the very common ones?
This could prove interesting in terms of choices. There are plenty of species to choose from.
I have been working on my top ten for a couple of days, and think I am settled on these.
Here are numbers 10 down to 6:
Number 10 - Cleopatra
This is another butterfly that just tells you that you are abroad, somewhere warm in southern Europe. Although I have seen plenty in the south of France and in Spain, for me this butterfly really brings to mind Greece, where it is often extremely numerous, especially around hotel gardens.
Number 9 Green-striped White
It's the exotic underside that gets this species a top ten place. A fairly regular sight in southern Spain during my few trips out there.
Number 8 Black-veined White
I tend to see these in reasonable numbers in the alps of SE France, where they sometimes mud-puddle in groups, but the largest numbers I have seen have been in eastern France in Burgundy. Gorgeous when fresh, before they become almost translucent as they shed wing scales.
Number 7 Orange Tip
The humble and near ubiquitous Orange Tip is probably the most heart-warming sight every springtime as a welcome reminder that winter is finally over. They may be common, but they are certainly no less gorgeous for that!
Number 6 Mountain Clouded Yellow
It was a tough choice between this and the Moorland Clouded Yellow. I chose this one just because I only have one photograph of a Moorland! A beautiful high altitude Colias.
Top 5 to follow in a while, with a definite Spanish leaning, and what will probably come as a surprise number 1!
Go Jim...
) is obliged to point out that Zegris eupheme doesn't fly west of Turkey, and that the Spanish and Moroccan species is meridionalis. I don't think this is controversial, just relatively recently established. It also adds to the cachet of seeing an increasingly scarce butterfly.