Parnassius apollo – Apollo – Apolo is a mountain species of butterfly that typically inhabits hills and flowery alpine meadows in continental European mountains, including Spain. This species requires specific climatic conditions, such as cold winters and sunny summers. It also prefers wide open spaces with less than 5% shrub cover and ample meadow surfaces of at least 50%. The presence of host plants for caterpillars is also crucial for its survival.
Continue reading Parnassius apollo – Apollo – ApoloCategory Archives: Butterflies
Western Dappled White – Euchloe crameri – Blanca Meridional
- Family: Pieridae
- Scientific name: Euchloe crameri
- English common name: Western Dappled White
- Spanish common name: Blanca Meridional
The Western Dappled White – Euchloe crameri – Blanca Meridional is a very active butterfly, although not as strong a flier as the Bath White (Pontia daplidice).
The mostly white upper wings have black markings at the tips and behind that a bold black mark. The under wing has a dappled pattern of dark green and white with yellow veins.
The tips of the fore wings on the underside have the same dappled pattern and behind that a bold black mark.
The caterpillars of this species are up to 3cm long, with horizontal stripes of green and yellow, bearing black speckles.
- Wing size: 38-50mm
- Altitude: Sea level to1350m
- Flight time: March-April and May-June
- Over-wintering: Chrysalis
- Caterpillar food plant: Biscutella, Crucifers, Iberis
- Distribution: Iberia eastwards to Italy where it overlaps with E. ausonia
Similar species: Portuguese Dappled White (Euchloe tagis) has a smoothly rounded costa of the hindwing, whereas in E. crameri this edge is more angular. Bath White (Pontia daplidice) this species has a very strong direct flight.
Butterflies of Iberia. These are included in the list of butterflies in Andalusia. Images taken in Andalucia, Southern Spain.
Ronda Today
Everything you need to know before you visit Ronda “The city of dreams” in Andalucia. https://www.rondatoday.com/
The Caminito del Rey
Find tickets for the Caminito del Rey: https://www.caminodelrey.es/
Wildside Holidays – Spain
Take a trip on the Wildside! Discover the wildlife and nature of Spain, its Natural and National Parks and find the top wildlife, activity and walking holiday companies.
Iberia Nature Forum
Struggling with identifying those bugs and beasties? Why not check out the Iberia nature Forum!
Discover the Iberia Nature Forum – Environment, geography, nature, landscape, climate, culture, history, rural tourism and travel.
The Hermit – Chazara briseis – Banda oblicua
- Family: Satyridae
- Scientific name: Chazara briseis (Linnaeus 1764)
- English common name: The Hermit
- Spanish common name: Banda oblicua
Soft beige and mottled brown colouring affords the The Hermit – Chazara briseis – Banda oblicua good camouflage when it rests and sunbathes on rocks. The upper wings which are rarely shown except in flight, are dark brown with an off white / cream band crossing from fore to hind wing. The under wings of the males are both marbled brown, beige and cream whereas the hind wing of the female is a less defined mix of the same colours.
This butterfly inhabits areas of hot, dry grassland with rocks and scrub. It feeds eagerly on thistle and scabious flowers and this may be the best opportunity to get close.
The caterpillars of this species are up to 3cm long, off-white with a brown face and two dark stripes down each side, the tail tapering to a point.
- Wing size: 50 -60mm
- Altitude: Sea level to 1650m
- Flight time: June-August
- Over-wintering: Caterpillar
- Caterpillar food plant: Grasses (Brachypodium, Poa, Sesleria)
- Distribution: south, central and eastern Spain, north Africa, southern Europe
Butterflies of Iberia. These are included in the list of butterflies in Andalusia. Images taken in Andalucia, Southern Spain.
Ronda Today
Everything you need to know before you visit Ronda “The city of dreams” in Andalucia. https://www.rondatoday.com/
The Caminito del Rey
Find tickets for the Caminito del Rey: https://www.caminodelrey.es/
Wildside Holidays – Spain
Take a trip on the Wildside! Discover the wildlife and nature of Spain, its Natural and National Parks and find the top wildlife, activity and walking holiday companies.
Iberia Nature Forum
Struggling with identifying those bugs and beasties? Why not check out the Iberia nature Forum!
Discover the Iberia Nature Forum – Environment, geography, nature, landscape, climate, culture, history, rural tourism and travel.
Spanish Purple Hairstreak – Laeosopis roboris – Moradilla del Fresno
- Family: Lycaenidae
- Scientific name: Laeosopis roboris
- English common name: Spanish Purple Hairstreak
- Spanish common name: Moradilla del Fresno
The Spanish Purple Hairstreak – Laeosopis roboris – Moradilla del Fresno is a fairly small butterfly that is most often high up in the trees, although luckily it does come down to ground level in order to feed off nectar. The under wings are grey / brown with a strong orange border. There are metallic blue and black markings inside this border that are most striking on the hind wing. The upper wings are purple with a wide, almost black band.
The caterpillars of this species are small, grey / brown and somewhat similar to a wood lice in the shape of their backs.
- Wing size: 3.8-4cm
- Altitude: up to 1,500m
- Flight time: May to July
- Over-wintering: Caterpillar, remaining in egg
- Caterpillar food plant: Fraxinus excelsior
- Distribution: Iberia, southern France
Similar species: Purple Hairstreak (Neozephyrus quercus) which has fine white lines mid wing and two orange spots.
Butterflies of Iberia. These are included in the list of butterflies in Andalusia. Images taken in Andalucia, Southern Spain.
Ronda Today
Everything you need to know before you visit Ronda “The city of dreams” in Andalucia. https://www.rondatoday.com/
The Caminito del Rey
Find tickets for the Caminito del Rey: https://www.caminodelrey.es/
Wildside Holidays – Spain
Take a trip on the Wildside! Discover the wildlife and nature of Spain, its Natural and National Parks and find the top wildlife, activity and walking holiday companies.
Iberia Nature Forum
Struggling with identifying those bugs and beasties? Why not check out the Iberia nature Forum!
Discover the Iberia Nature Forum – Environment, geography, nature, landscape, climate, culture, history, rural tourism and travel.