Butterfly ID
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Field guide · Denmark
Brush-footed butterflies · Denmark

Queen of Spain Fritillary

Issoria lathonia

Queen of Spain Fritillary is common in Denmark. The wingspan is 35-48 mm. The flight period is from April to October. The species can be found in most places, as it moves around extensively.

Status in this countryCommon in DenmarkLC (Least concern)
Queen of Spain Fritillary

Flight period

Flight time is from April to October. The larva is from June to May.

Habitat

The species can be found in many places, as it tends to wander around. However, its typical habitat is dry and sandy, with abundant amounts of violets and/or Papaver rhoeas.

Identifying features

Wingspan is 35-48 mm. In comparison to other fritillaries, lathonia exhibits a distinctive wing shape, as the forewing is notably pointed, and both pairs of wings are very angular.

Similar species

Can be distinguished from other fritillaries due to its distinctive wing shape, the large number of spots on the upperside, and the large pearl-like spots on the underside.

Distribution

Widespread and common in Denmark, but may be rare in certain areas of Southern Jutland and on specific parts of Funen. However, in years when the species undertakes local migrations, it can also appear in larger numbers in these areas.

Biology

The flight can be both rapid and swift, or smooth and slow. It extracts nectar from a wide variety of different flowering plants.