Identifying features
Medium-sized square-winged butterfly with a wingspan of 30–42 mm and rather narrow wings. The wings have alternating grey, white, and reddish-orange bands (approximately three of each), which distinguishes it from all other Norwegian diurnal butterflies. The larva is black with short, black thorns and white spots.
Similar species
The wing pattern, with alternating grey, white, and reddish-orange cross-bands, distinguishes it from all other Norwegian butterfly species, making confusion unlikely.
Distribution
The only representative of the genus Euphydryas within Norway is found here only in the three northernmost counties, largely uncommon, from Saltdal in Nordland to Porsanger in Finnmark.
Biology
The larvae live on blackthorn (Bartsia alpina), perhaps also on Veronica species (Veronica spp.) and lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea).