www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

There were a few of these at about 2000m in the Vanoise.

Have to say the top one is ticking the boxes for me, Owen, though I'll defer to the 'big beasts' as ever.

Certainly looks like varia to me. The male is extremely variable, but the upf discal mark in s1 is constant and affirmative.

The female is highly likely varia, too. There is a high altitude female dark form of parthenoides (Meadow Fritillary) which looks very similar but the discal mark is indicative, and the female varia is rather more dusky in appearance.

I was in the Queyras a couple of weeks ago (you will know the spot, David) when it had snowed overnight and the temperature was 3C but the sun was shining and I counted about 25 varia, often settling on the snow.

Roger

Thanks for the confirmation Roger. It was great to see some true alpine species on this trip - I've always been too early in the past.