| Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary (Boloria selene (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775)) |
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Scientific name: Boloria selene (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775) Common name: Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary French name: Petit Collier argenté Order: Lepidoptera Suborder: Rhopalocera Family: Nymphalidae Subfamily: Heliconiinae Wingspan: 28-38 mm. Biotope: Meadows and woodlands up to an altitude of 1800m. Geographic area: Europe, temperate Asia east to Korea. North America. Flight time: April-August. Number of generations : 2 (1 in the north). Caterpillar: Black with orange spines. Host plant: Violet (Viola sp.) |
The Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary has, like the similar species, Pearl-bordered Fritillary (Boloria euphrosyne), one black spot near the base of the hindwings. This basal spot can be seen on the upper side and on the underside of the butterfly. You can differentiate both species by observing the underside of the hindwing. Euphrosyne is a more pinkish/brown/red colour, yellow and red marks are sharper on selene. The basal spot is larger on selene. This spot is small, round and circled with yellow on euphrosyne. The white markings near the outer border are bordered with black on selene. The central white marking looks larger and bolder on euphrosyne. To be confirmed: The black round spots on the upper side of the forewing are more distant from the edge on euphrosyne than on selene. The Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary overwinters as a caterpillar. |
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I have observed this Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary in the mountains of Belledonne, France, at an altitude of 1650 metres. |
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It has not been easy to get an under side view to tell the species apart. However you can see the basal spot and the white markings on this picture. |
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Here is one specimen with damaged wings. It has been more cooperative for the photo session. |
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It is always very nice for a someone interested in butterflies to take a walk in the alpine pastures. |
André Bon April 2017