The second of our two days between the two holidays was arguably the best of the whole 18 days in Spain. We started off at a location near Villanueva del Rosario. Even though we arrived early, Black Veined White’s (
Aporia crataegi) were flying in very good numbers. As it warmed up, even more started flying. They really were hundreds, I’ve never seen as many in one location anywhere else on all my travels in Europe.
![20230501_101422 v2.jpg (1.06 MiB) Viewed 2316 times Site near Villanueva del Rosario, Photo 1](./files/thumb_10004_9816c76e50795a2a5ee142278767544d)
- Site near Villanueva del Rosario, Photo 1
![20230501_112251 v2.jpg (1.17 MiB) Viewed 2316 times Site near Villanueva del Rosario, Photo 2](./files/thumb_10004_4f2c4dcdd2996e2e2ac61a02d3190da8)
- Site near Villanueva del Rosario, Photo 2
![P1100869 v2.jpg (916.49 KiB) Viewed 2316 times Mating Black Veined White](./files/thumb_10004_6f4b3e0612ce61475fd78bdef204ede6)
- Mating Black Veined White
But the highlight at this site was Spanish Fritillary (
Euphydryas desfontainii). We were perhaps only expecting to see one or two, but in the end I saw 8 individuals.
![P1100567 v2.jpg (972.2 KiB) Viewed 2316 times Spanish Fritillary](./files/thumb_10004_7faf505739fc6022ee751f676dc8e8c1)
- Spanish Fritillary
We then travelled down to Baños de la Hedionda de Casares where David had seen Two Tailed Pascha (
Charaxes jasius) and Chapman’s Green Hairstreak (
Callophrys avis) the previous year. While there was a lot of their larval food plant, Strawberry Tree (
Arbutus unedo), there was no sign of the two target species. Instead I spotted a Blue Spot Hairstreak (
Satyrium spini), perhaps around 4 weeks ahead of when it would be expected to be seen, indicating just how early the season was.
![P1100575 v2.jpg (702.08 KiB) Viewed 2316 times Blue Spot Hairstreak](./files/thumb_10004_ba9ceb6a92e63379c296fa9b464edfaf)
- Blue Spot Hairstreak
Next, we drove inland. The change in scenery was a surprise. From dry conditions on the coast, it was much greener, very much reminding me of north Sicily, which I’d visited at the same time last year. The drive took much longer than expected, partly because of the winding nature of the roads, through ancient Cork Oak forests, partly because a road we intended to use on the map turned out to be a rutted forest track, and required a detour.
When we eventually arrived and got out, within five minutes we had seen two target species. Firstly I found a Sooty Orange Tip (
Zegris eupheme). Then, just as I was photographing it, David spotted the main prize, Aetherie Fritillary (
Melitaea aetherie). We must have seen 10 to 20 individuals of this latter species over the next hour.
![20230501_164549 v2.jpg (867.13 KiB) Viewed 2316 times Inland site](./files/thumb_10004_ee37baaeffbea783a693668c7a976c9a)
- Inland site
![P1100624 v2.jpg (922.05 KiB) Viewed 2316 times Aetherie Fritillary](./files/thumb_10004_244b7826309a01026b0a28b48d426f10)
- Aetherie Fritillary
Another highlight for me was Spanish Marbled White (
Melanargia ines), which gave us some great views.
![P1100588 v2.jpg (1.08 MiB) Viewed 2316 times Spanish Marbled White](./files/thumb_10004_23657f9de17800f75fe488ef67869c69)
- Spanish Marbled White
We then drove back to Antequera after a thoroughly enjoyable day. Spanish Fritillary and Spanish Marbled White were new species for me, and seeing Aetherie Fritillary for only the second time made for an excellent day!