Fritillaries for lockdown viewers.
Fritillaries for lockdown viewers.
Fritillaries for lockdown viewers.
The Queen of Spain Fritillary (Issoria lathonia)
I am tempted to say this is truly a Queen amongst Fritillaries I would even venture further and say that Issoria lathonia is my favourite butterfly, the silver medallions on the under wing gives it an exotic appearance befitting a Queen, the rather angular shaped wings setting it apart from other Frits, it seems to be widspread and inhabits a wide altitude range, This is one I never pass an opportunity to photograph, the Queen of Spain Fritillary. Bog Fritillary (Boloria eunomia) another Fritillary with distinctive underside markings, the photo was taken in the Morvan Regional Natural Park in the Nièvre department, well named it clearly enjoys a very wet location where its host plant Bistort grows, and wet it was during our visit when these photo's were taken.
Weaver's Fritillary (Boloria dia) A dainty rather small Frittilary, fairly widespread across the southern regions of France, its attraction is its angular and colourful underside markings. https://jamesgibbs6929.zenfolio.com/
The Queen of Spain Fritillary (Issoria lathonia)
I am tempted to say this is truly a Queen amongst Fritillaries I would even venture further and say that Issoria lathonia is my favourite butterfly, the silver medallions on the under wing gives it an exotic appearance befitting a Queen, the rather angular shaped wings setting it apart from other Frits, it seems to be widspread and inhabits a wide altitude range, This is one I never pass an opportunity to photograph, the Queen of Spain Fritillary. Bog Fritillary (Boloria eunomia) another Fritillary with distinctive underside markings, the photo was taken in the Morvan Regional Natural Park in the Nièvre department, well named it clearly enjoys a very wet location where its host plant Bistort grows, and wet it was during our visit when these photo's were taken.
Weaver's Fritillary (Boloria dia) A dainty rather small Frittilary, fairly widespread across the southern regions of France, its attraction is its angular and colourful underside markings. https://jamesgibbs6929.zenfolio.com/
Re: Fritillaries for lockdown viewers.
Very nice, Jim, especially the Bog Fritillary, which I have yet to see.
Are we posting our top three favourite European Fritillaries then?
Are we posting our top three favourite European Fritillaries then?
Re: Fritillaries for lockdown viewers.
Hi Jim,
I am trying to prepare myself for this latest challenge. My top four are without doubt, but the next six are going to take some serious thought...
I am trying to prepare myself for this latest challenge. My top four are without doubt, but the next six are going to take some serious thought...
Re: Fritillaries for lockdown viewers.
Aah! We're going for top ten are we?
A bit easier, this one - not as many as in the Blue family, although I reckon the top threes of all will be fairly similar!![Cool 8)](./images/smilies/icon_cool.gif)
A bit easier, this one - not as many as in the Blue family, although I reckon the top threes of all will be fairly similar!
![Cool 8)](./images/smilies/icon_cool.gif)
Re: Fritillaries for lockdown viewers.
You may well be in for a surprise David, of the 32 French fritillary listed on Mr Gibbons excellent site, my tally so far has been 29 of those on his list, never the less choosing ten was not at all easy, I have changed my mind several times, I hope I have managed some interesting species that will give pleasure and inspire when we finally emerge from lock down.
I look forward to your contribution Pete , you probable have a greater number to choose from, as you may have guessed I restrict my activities to France.
https://jamesgibbs6929.zenfolio.com
I look forward to your contribution Pete , you probable have a greater number to choose from, as you may have guessed I restrict my activities to France.
https://jamesgibbs6929.zenfolio.com
Re: Fritillaries for lockdown viewers.
Niobe Fritillary (Argynnis niobe) Photos taken on a visit to Molines -en-Champsaur. and La Chapelle-en-Valgaudémar where I have found them on every visit, their appeal to me is the soft pastel shades of the under wing colours,
We returned three years later and discovered another site with good numbers of twin spots, including Blue-spot Hairstreak, and many others.
Spotted Fritillary (Melitaea didyma) A very common, and extremely variable fritillary often displaying eye catching bold colours, its one of the first French fritillaries that I found whilst on a birding trip to La Brenne , since then I have seen didyma in the Alps and the Pyrennes where they can sometimes be rquite numerous, https://jamesgibbs6929.zenfolio.com/
Twin-spot Fritillary (Brenthis hecate) my location for hecate is situated in the department of Lot, after we left our very rustic but peaceful campsite, a butterfly paradise, the neighbouring paddocks were alive with many species, hecate was found purely by a chance roadside stop at what looked to be a promising spot, a freshly emerged twin spot, another first.We returned three years later and discovered another site with good numbers of twin spots, including Blue-spot Hairstreak, and many others.
Spotted Fritillary (Melitaea didyma) A very common, and extremely variable fritillary often displaying eye catching bold colours, its one of the first French fritillaries that I found whilst on a birding trip to La Brenne , since then I have seen didyma in the Alps and the Pyrennes where they can sometimes be rquite numerous, https://jamesgibbs6929.zenfolio.com/
Re: Fritillaries for lockdown viewers.
You may be surprised Jim! My life list of European Fritillaries includes just one species not on Roger's list (although some may argue it should beMedard wrote: ↑Sun May 03, 2020 7:12 am I look forward to your contribution Pete , you probable have a greater number to choose from, as you may have guessed I restrict my activities to France.
https://jamesgibbs6929.zenfolio.com
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
I think I shall be duplicating quite a few of your choices!
I am finding this even harder than choosing the top ten Blues - cannot believe some of the gorgeous Fritillaries that I have left out...
But here goes.
Number 10 Balkan Fritillary Finding this rarity in the French Alps back in 2013 was one of the highlights of the year for me, having searched in vain for it for a couple of years previously. I would love to include the Mountain Fritillary and Titania's Fritillary also in this selection, but the brutal choices of creating a top ten mean that this is the only Boloria to make the cut.
Number 9 Nickerl's Fritillary Another magical experience seeing my first ever Nickerl's Fritillary in Eastern France. I love the clean, regular markings of this butterfly, and the freshness of the individuals that I found probably helped in the decision to include it, along with its rarity value.
Number 8 Bog Fritillary I am pretty sure these were photographed at the same site as Jim's. A gorgeously marked Fritillary this, in a special habitat. I just love the underside markings.
Number 7 Knapweed Fritillary One of the commonest of fritillaries in many parts of Europe - this one is a favourite because of the contrasting tones on the upperwing, and the stunning underside markings.
Number 6 Twin-spot Fritillary A very recent addition to my life-list. Beautiful bright orange in flight, with a rather different underside pattern. A joyous butterfly to spend time with!
Top 5 to follow, but probably predictable...
- Roger Gibbons
- Posts: 1118
- Joined: Wed Nov 29, 2006 5:29 pm
- Location: Hatfield, Herts
- Contact:
Re: Fritillaries for lockdown viewers.
As you mention Valgaudémar, Jim, I’ll just mention that when we met there in July 2016 you asked me if there were any good spots nearby. I mentioned one at Molines-en-Champsaur where I had seen something large take off very quickly from the ground. You went there and found out what it was – yes, a Poplar Admiral. You must have had a lucky four-leaf clover.
I spent a couple of hours riverside at the end of that road and didn’t think it was particularly species-rich until I counted the list – 45.
Your niobe (the southern form eris) undersides are a beautiful blend of beige and orange. This is the form preponderant (probably exclusively) in Provence. Many years ago I had an expert come down to Var and insist that the niobe we were seeing were in fact High Brown form cleodoxa. Some of the older books don’t mention eris, and the Tolman illustration doesn’t look right for the eris I see.
Roger
I spent a couple of hours riverside at the end of that road and didn’t think it was particularly species-rich until I counted the list – 45.
Your niobe (the southern form eris) undersides are a beautiful blend of beige and orange. This is the form preponderant (probably exclusively) in Provence. Many years ago I had an expert come down to Var and insist that the niobe we were seeing were in fact High Brown form cleodoxa. Some of the older books don’t mention eris, and the Tolman illustration doesn’t look right for the eris I see.
Roger
- Roger Gibbons
- Posts: 1118
- Joined: Wed Nov 29, 2006 5:29 pm
- Location: Hatfield, Herts
- Contact:
Re: Fritillaries for lockdown viewers.
Another real problem as to what to leave out. I could do the three favourite Apollos.
I think there is going to be some duplication here - my choice will include Bog Fritillary (sorry David). Pete mentions Knapweed Fritillary; it's not on my list but would merit a place on its variability in Provence - here is one "standard" as per Pete's: At the other end of the scale: And for good measure, an aberration which I think is Knapweed, mainly on wing shape. Roger
I think there is going to be some duplication here - my choice will include Bog Fritillary (sorry David). Pete mentions Knapweed Fritillary; it's not on my list but would merit a place on its variability in Provence - here is one "standard" as per Pete's: At the other end of the scale: And for good measure, an aberration which I think is Knapweed, mainly on wing shape. Roger
Re: Fritillaries for lockdown viewers.
A couple of fantastic aberrations there Roger!
Here are my top 5...
Number 5 The Cardinal There is something special about the Cardinal. Its power, its size, the shades of silvery grey, and more than anything that fantastic pink patch on the underside.
Number 4 Marsh Fritillary Simply a beautiful butterfly, with much variation in terms of colouration. Many local forms or sub-species add to the fascination of this gem, and despite its threatened status, it is to my mind quite remarkable that for a rare and local species, it does seem to occur in a good range of different habitat types. I never tire of seeing Marsh Fritillaries, and find it almost impossible to pass one without taking a photograph (I have the same problem with the Spotted Fritillary, which shockingly I have just realised I have left out of this selection!)
Third Place Asian Fritillary Rarity value nudges this one up to third place. A very special fritillary.
Second Place Scarce Fritillary This is just an absolutely stunning butterfly that has to be seen to be believed. This species was so close to making the top position.
First Place Cynthia's Fritillary I have been in love with this butterfly since I saw a picture of it in my first book of European Butterflies. I was probably about 8 years old. I never imagined as a child that I would ever get to see one in real life. It took a while, but finally I encountered cynthia in the Queyras back in 2012 in a remarkable high altitude setting. An unforgettable moment. There are no words to describe how this butterfly makes me feel. I have since had the pleasure of finding it with increasing frequency at a number of high altitude sites in SE France. An unquestionable first place.
Phew...that was tough!
Here are my top 5...
Number 5 The Cardinal There is something special about the Cardinal. Its power, its size, the shades of silvery grey, and more than anything that fantastic pink patch on the underside.
Number 4 Marsh Fritillary Simply a beautiful butterfly, with much variation in terms of colouration. Many local forms or sub-species add to the fascination of this gem, and despite its threatened status, it is to my mind quite remarkable that for a rare and local species, it does seem to occur in a good range of different habitat types. I never tire of seeing Marsh Fritillaries, and find it almost impossible to pass one without taking a photograph (I have the same problem with the Spotted Fritillary, which shockingly I have just realised I have left out of this selection!)
Third Place Asian Fritillary Rarity value nudges this one up to third place. A very special fritillary.
Second Place Scarce Fritillary This is just an absolutely stunning butterfly that has to be seen to be believed. This species was so close to making the top position.
First Place Cynthia's Fritillary I have been in love with this butterfly since I saw a picture of it in my first book of European Butterflies. I was probably about 8 years old. I never imagined as a child that I would ever get to see one in real life. It took a while, but finally I encountered cynthia in the Queyras back in 2012 in a remarkable high altitude setting. An unforgettable moment. There are no words to describe how this butterfly makes me feel. I have since had the pleasure of finding it with increasing frequency at a number of high altitude sites in SE France. An unquestionable first place.
Phew...that was tough!
Re: Fritillaries for lockdown viewers.
...and well worthy they are, Pete.
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
I like the way you've displayed many of the various forms of aurinia; it really does look like several species under one banner at thime!
Nice narrative to accompany the selections. I guess mine is going to take longer than I originally anticipated now.
![Sad :(](./images/smilies/icon_sad.gif)
Re: Fritillaries for lockdown viewers.
You guys have given my a moral boost, I do hope others feel the same.
Now for my last four, I don't intend to rate them, just to have see them has given me great pleasure , but having said that the last four are by any standard rather special.
Spanish Fritillary (Euphydryas desfontainii) this picture was nearly thrown out through my lack of experience, it was taken on a visit to the Pyrénées-Orientales and was amongst some beautiful Marsh Fritillaries (Euphydryas aurinia) it was two years later that I recognised that I had unknowingly captured a much sought after fritillarry Boloria aquilonaris (Cranberry Fritillary), aquilonaris is a species that can be found in the Doubs where there are numerous Tourbières that support its host plant Vaccinium myrtillus, finding aquilonaris was not as difficult as I had expected, one location visited was extremely demanding physically and my search was made more complicated by four other fritillary species all flying at the same location, it took careful observation to recognise aquilonaris
amongst so many, the site offered plenty of opportunity to photograph aquilonaris and the other species present..
aquilonaris was also found at two other sites visited, a very pleasing result.
Scarce Fritillary (Euphydryas maturna) the rich colours of maturna makes for a very attractive butterfly, this butterfly lives up to it's name it is indeed scarce, my first visit 2016 drew a blank despite advice and help given by two Garde forestiers, only one had come to their notice that year, a return visit 2018 was made with help from friends who kindly helped with site locations in the Côte-d'Or, I was lucky this time and found them at four different locations, clearly a good year for this species.
Cynthia's Fritillary (Euphydryas cynthia) A spectacular high altitude butterfly, one more that left me spell bound, I had previously seen the female on the summit of the Col d'Izoarde, compared to the Male she is rather dull and easily overlooked.
https://jamesgibbs6929.zenfolio.com/
Now for my last four, I don't intend to rate them, just to have see them has given me great pleasure , but having said that the last four are by any standard rather special.
Spanish Fritillary (Euphydryas desfontainii) this picture was nearly thrown out through my lack of experience, it was taken on a visit to the Pyrénées-Orientales and was amongst some beautiful Marsh Fritillaries (Euphydryas aurinia) it was two years later that I recognised that I had unknowingly captured a much sought after fritillarry Boloria aquilonaris (Cranberry Fritillary), aquilonaris is a species that can be found in the Doubs where there are numerous Tourbières that support its host plant Vaccinium myrtillus, finding aquilonaris was not as difficult as I had expected, one location visited was extremely demanding physically and my search was made more complicated by four other fritillary species all flying at the same location, it took careful observation to recognise aquilonaris
amongst so many, the site offered plenty of opportunity to photograph aquilonaris and the other species present..
aquilonaris was also found at two other sites visited, a very pleasing result.
Scarce Fritillary (Euphydryas maturna) the rich colours of maturna makes for a very attractive butterfly, this butterfly lives up to it's name it is indeed scarce, my first visit 2016 drew a blank despite advice and help given by two Garde forestiers, only one had come to their notice that year, a return visit 2018 was made with help from friends who kindly helped with site locations in the Côte-d'Or, I was lucky this time and found them at four different locations, clearly a good year for this species.
Cynthia's Fritillary (Euphydryas cynthia) A spectacular high altitude butterfly, one more that left me spell bound, I had previously seen the female on the summit of the Col d'Izoarde, compared to the Male she is rather dull and easily overlooked.
https://jamesgibbs6929.zenfolio.com/
- Roger Gibbons
- Posts: 1118
- Joined: Wed Nov 29, 2006 5:29 pm
- Location: Hatfield, Herts
- Contact:
Re: Fritillaries for lockdown viewers.
Here is the vote of the Hatfield jury.
10. Lesser Marbled Fritillary (Brenthis ino)
A very neat species, smaller and tidier than its bigger cousin, but it gets into my top ten on the grounds of its underside. This is a male, both shots are the same butterfly, seen in Doubs. 9. Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary (Boloria selene)
This may seem an odd selection, but it does not occur in the PACA region, so I get to see it only rarely. In France, it seems to be a species that needs to be near water, at least in the places I have seen it. Again, it is a male and both shots are of the same butterfly. It was seen in Lozère. 8. Marsh Fritillary (Euphydryas aurinia)
This species has so many forms and is so variable (same theme as Pete, but none of mine came from Lincolnshire). The first two are from Var, the first one here being beautifully marked and the second a very orange female, while the third is the dark form from the wetlands of Doubs in eastern France. 7. Grisons Fritillary (Melitaea varia)
A rather small and very hardy fritillary of high altitudes, also subject to considerable variation. Even in cold air temperatures at around 10C, varia comes out whenever the sun shines. This is a male. 6. Queen of Spain Fritillary (Issoria lathonia)
I used to consider this my favourite species until I heard a famous naturalist asked: what is your favourite species. He thought for moment and then he replied: whichever one I am looking at the time. So I have adopted that philosophy. However, lathonia is unquestionably special. The square wing shape, the big bold markings, and not least the silvery mirrors on the underside that I never feel I capture with the camera in the same way as I see in the field. The first upperside is fairly standard, the second being a rather less marked one from Lozère, and the third is a female with a very strong bronze suffusion. The underside speaks for itself. I had better stop here as I am about to convince myself that lathonia should be higher up the rankings. Nos 1-5 to follow. I’ll try not to meddle with the order I originally put them in.
Roger
10. Lesser Marbled Fritillary (Brenthis ino)
A very neat species, smaller and tidier than its bigger cousin, but it gets into my top ten on the grounds of its underside. This is a male, both shots are the same butterfly, seen in Doubs. 9. Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary (Boloria selene)
This may seem an odd selection, but it does not occur in the PACA region, so I get to see it only rarely. In France, it seems to be a species that needs to be near water, at least in the places I have seen it. Again, it is a male and both shots are of the same butterfly. It was seen in Lozère. 8. Marsh Fritillary (Euphydryas aurinia)
This species has so many forms and is so variable (same theme as Pete, but none of mine came from Lincolnshire). The first two are from Var, the first one here being beautifully marked and the second a very orange female, while the third is the dark form from the wetlands of Doubs in eastern France. 7. Grisons Fritillary (Melitaea varia)
A rather small and very hardy fritillary of high altitudes, also subject to considerable variation. Even in cold air temperatures at around 10C, varia comes out whenever the sun shines. This is a male. 6. Queen of Spain Fritillary (Issoria lathonia)
I used to consider this my favourite species until I heard a famous naturalist asked: what is your favourite species. He thought for moment and then he replied: whichever one I am looking at the time. So I have adopted that philosophy. However, lathonia is unquestionably special. The square wing shape, the big bold markings, and not least the silvery mirrors on the underside that I never feel I capture with the camera in the same way as I see in the field. The first upperside is fairly standard, the second being a rather less marked one from Lozère, and the third is a female with a very strong bronze suffusion. The underside speaks for itself. I had better stop here as I am about to convince myself that lathonia should be higher up the rankings. Nos 1-5 to follow. I’ll try not to meddle with the order I originally put them in.
Roger
Re: Fritillaries for lockdown viewers.
Ah Jim, I am highly envious of your aquilonaris and your desfontainii, the only two Fritillary species on Roger's website that I have yet to see.
And Roger, I am very pleased to see that you have included Lesser Marbled and Grison's Fritillaries. They were both on my short-list of contenders and very nearly made my top ten.
And Roger, I am very pleased to see that you have included Lesser Marbled and Grison's Fritillaries. They were both on my short-list of contenders and very nearly made my top ten.
Re: Fritillaries for lockdown viewers.
Some stunning images on here - I'm reluctant to take the plunge in all honesty. ![Embarassed :oops:](./images/smilies/icon_redface.gif)
![Embarassed :oops:](./images/smilies/icon_redface.gif)
- Roger Gibbons
- Posts: 1118
- Joined: Wed Nov 29, 2006 5:29 pm
- Location: Hatfield, Herts
- Contact:
Re: Fritillaries for lockdown viewers.
Pete said
Roger
Me too. They are the only two I have yet to see. I did have plans for both this year, but desfontainii will have to wait until next year. I may still get lucky with aquilonaris in July.Ah Jim, I am highly envious of your aquilonaris and your desfontainii, the only two Fritillary species on Roger's website that I have yet to see.
Roger
Re: Fritillaries for lockdown viewers.
Struggling to compete with the quality of images on here, but here goes anyway.....
#10 - Twin Spot Fritillary
Never seen it in France, but for the past two years I've seen it in late July in eastern Spain. It might have been elevated in my list somewhat but for the fact that I'm yet to take proper images of it, but from what I've seen it's highly attractive:
#9 - Niobe Fritillary
Always nice to spot one of these. Usually, they are seen in amongst Dark Green and High Brown Fritillaries, but in my experience they are found at higher altitudes than these other two, and they also seem to disappear earlier in the season as well:
#10 - Twin Spot Fritillary
Never seen it in France, but for the past two years I've seen it in late July in eastern Spain. It might have been elevated in my list somewhat but for the fact that I'm yet to take proper images of it, but from what I've seen it's highly attractive:
#9 - Niobe Fritillary
Always nice to spot one of these. Usually, they are seen in amongst Dark Green and High Brown Fritillaries, but in my experience they are found at higher altitudes than these other two, and they also seem to disappear earlier in the season as well:
- Padfield
- Administrator
- Posts: 8216
- Joined: Sun Nov 05, 2006 10:19 pm
- Location: Leysin, Switzerland
- Contact:
Re: Fritillaries for lockdown viewers.
What a lot of fantastic butterflies, including some great rarities!
I've divided my top 10 into two halves, 1-5 and 6-10. So here are nos 6-10, in no particular order within the group - I can't rank them. I might be able to rank 1-5, though ...
Cranberry fritillary (Boloria aquilonaris), as has already been noted, is a very special butterfly. In Switzerland it flies locally over Vaccinnium bogs, often in the company of cranberry blues and moorland clouded yellows, which share the same foodplant.
![Image](https://www.guypadfield.com/images2015/aquilonaris27june2015i.jpg)
![Image](https://www.guypadfield.com/images2015/aquilonaris27june2015h.jpg)
Here are two of them on the foodplant, refusing to talk:
![Image](https://www.guypadfield.com/images2015/aquilonaris27june2015j.jpg)
Females often lay their eggs not on the foodplant but on other low-growing plants in the vicinity. This is one such:
![Image](https://www.guypadfield.com/images2013/aquilonarisegg27july2013a.jpg)
Titania's fritillary (Boloria titania) is a constant accompaniment in the Alps in high summer. It is large and bold - almost brash - and has an exquisite underside:
![Image](https://www.guypadfield.com/images2006/titania8jul2006a.jpg)
![Image](https://www.guypadfield.com/images2019/titania5jul2019b.jpg)
Here's one feeding somewhat incongruously at a martagon lily:
![Image](https://www.guypadfield.com/images2015/titania10july2015b.jpg)
I was once lucky enough to come across a pupa, quite by chance:
![Image](https://www.guypadfield.com/images2010/titaniapupa103.jpg)
Sagarra's lesser spotted fritillary (Melitaea ignasiti) is largely restricted to Spain, though it was proved in 2017 to be breeding in Cerdagne. I came across my first individual on the morning of my last day in Aragón - by chance also in 2017 - before heading south to Córdoba. It was still warming up and stubbornly refused to allow me any glimpse of the underside, with the diagnostic disco-cellular vein:
![Image](https://www.guypadfield.com/images2017/ignasiti15jul2017ra.jpg)
In the evening, on my way home, I found more, nectaring in a field. It was difficult, but eventually I got the proof I wanted. The vein is only prominent for about half the cell crossing but this is still entirely different from in didyma, where the cell is entirely open. This is what I was looking for:
![Image](https://www.guypadfield.com/images2017/ignasiti15jul2017rm.jpg)
This is what it looks like in the context of the whole butterfly:
![Image](https://www.guypadfield.com/images2017/ignasiti15jul2017rk.jpg)
![Image](https://www.guypadfield.com/images2017/ignasiti15jul2017rc.jpg)
A very exciting evening I will not forget!
Lesser marbled fritillary (Brenthis ino) is locally common on my mountain and I had a very strong colony just at the end of my road until someone cut down all the meadowsweet ... It survives there, however, and I saw a few when I returned in July 2019. These are from former years:
![Image](https://www.guypadfield.com/images2011/ino113.jpg)
![Image](https://www.guypadfield.com/images2019/ino7jul2019b.jpg)
![Image](https://www.guypadfield.com/images2017/ino12jun2017a.jpg)
And this is from 2019:
![Image](https://www.guypadfield.com/images2019/ino29jun2019b.jpg)
High brown fritillary (Argynnis adippe) is the last of my runners up. It is very common in my part of Switzerland, often feeding in groups with silver-washed fritillaries and marbled fritillaries. Both the upperside and the underside are beautiful.
![Image](https://www.guypadfield.com/images2013/adippe23august2013b.jpg)
![Image](https://www.guypadfield.com/images2018/adippe12jul2018a.jpg)
Occasionally I come across form cleodoxa, where the silver on the underside is replaced by buff. This one was in Switzerland:
![Image](https://www.guypadfield.com/images2015/cleodoxa20june2015b.jpg)
And a normal individual for comparison:
![Image](https://www.guypadfield.com/images2014/adippe1aug2014a.jpg)
This couple was in Spain, in 2005. The male is cleodoxa and the female normal:
![Image](https://www.guypadfield.com/valimages2005/cleodoxa1.jpg)
1-5 to come!
Guy
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
I've divided my top 10 into two halves, 1-5 and 6-10. So here are nos 6-10, in no particular order within the group - I can't rank them. I might be able to rank 1-5, though ...
Cranberry fritillary (Boloria aquilonaris), as has already been noted, is a very special butterfly. In Switzerland it flies locally over Vaccinnium bogs, often in the company of cranberry blues and moorland clouded yellows, which share the same foodplant.
![Image](https://www.guypadfield.com/images2015/aquilonaris27june2015i.jpg)
![Image](https://www.guypadfield.com/images2015/aquilonaris27june2015h.jpg)
Here are two of them on the foodplant, refusing to talk:
![Image](https://www.guypadfield.com/images2015/aquilonaris27june2015j.jpg)
Females often lay their eggs not on the foodplant but on other low-growing plants in the vicinity. This is one such:
![Image](https://www.guypadfield.com/images2013/aquilonarisegg27july2013a.jpg)
Titania's fritillary (Boloria titania) is a constant accompaniment in the Alps in high summer. It is large and bold - almost brash - and has an exquisite underside:
![Image](https://www.guypadfield.com/images2006/titania8jul2006a.jpg)
![Image](https://www.guypadfield.com/images2019/titania5jul2019b.jpg)
Here's one feeding somewhat incongruously at a martagon lily:
![Image](https://www.guypadfield.com/images2015/titania10july2015b.jpg)
I was once lucky enough to come across a pupa, quite by chance:
![Image](https://www.guypadfield.com/images2010/titaniapupa103.jpg)
Sagarra's lesser spotted fritillary (Melitaea ignasiti) is largely restricted to Spain, though it was proved in 2017 to be breeding in Cerdagne. I came across my first individual on the morning of my last day in Aragón - by chance also in 2017 - before heading south to Córdoba. It was still warming up and stubbornly refused to allow me any glimpse of the underside, with the diagnostic disco-cellular vein:
![Image](https://www.guypadfield.com/images2017/ignasiti15jul2017ra.jpg)
In the evening, on my way home, I found more, nectaring in a field. It was difficult, but eventually I got the proof I wanted. The vein is only prominent for about half the cell crossing but this is still entirely different from in didyma, where the cell is entirely open. This is what I was looking for:
![Image](https://www.guypadfield.com/images2017/ignasiti15jul2017rm.jpg)
This is what it looks like in the context of the whole butterfly:
![Image](https://www.guypadfield.com/images2017/ignasiti15jul2017rk.jpg)
![Image](https://www.guypadfield.com/images2017/ignasiti15jul2017rc.jpg)
A very exciting evening I will not forget!
Lesser marbled fritillary (Brenthis ino) is locally common on my mountain and I had a very strong colony just at the end of my road until someone cut down all the meadowsweet ... It survives there, however, and I saw a few when I returned in July 2019. These are from former years:
![Image](https://www.guypadfield.com/images2011/ino113.jpg)
![Image](https://www.guypadfield.com/images2019/ino7jul2019b.jpg)
![Image](https://www.guypadfield.com/images2017/ino12jun2017a.jpg)
And this is from 2019:
![Image](https://www.guypadfield.com/images2019/ino29jun2019b.jpg)
High brown fritillary (Argynnis adippe) is the last of my runners up. It is very common in my part of Switzerland, often feeding in groups with silver-washed fritillaries and marbled fritillaries. Both the upperside and the underside are beautiful.
![Image](https://www.guypadfield.com/images2013/adippe23august2013b.jpg)
![Image](https://www.guypadfield.com/images2018/adippe12jul2018a.jpg)
Occasionally I come across form cleodoxa, where the silver on the underside is replaced by buff. This one was in Switzerland:
![Image](https://www.guypadfield.com/images2015/cleodoxa20june2015b.jpg)
And a normal individual for comparison:
![Image](https://www.guypadfield.com/images2014/adippe1aug2014a.jpg)
This couple was in Spain, in 2005. The male is cleodoxa and the female normal:
![Image](https://www.guypadfield.com/valimages2005/cleodoxa1.jpg)
1-5 to come!
Guy
Guy's Butterflies: https://www.guypadfield.com
The Butterflies of Villars-Gryon : https://www.guypadfield.com/villarsgryonbook.html
The Butterflies of Villars-Gryon : https://www.guypadfield.com/villarsgryonbook.html
Re: Fritillaries for lockdown viewers.
Stunning pictures Guy. My favourite by a country mile is the first shot of the Lesser Marbled Fritillary pair. Can’t wait for your top five.
Kind Regards
Kev
Kind Regards
Kev
Re: Fritillaries for lockdown viewers.
Impressive, Guy, especially the mating cleodoxa. I'm most interested to see your top 5.