Greenwings: Pyrenées Orientales, 24th to 31st May 2023

[David M]

Pieridae

Cleopatras provided some entertainment:

Wood Whites were common:

45. Orange Tip
46. Provence Orange Tip
47. Black Veined White
48. Clouded Yellow
49. Berger's Clouded Yellow
50. Cleopatra
51. Brimstone
52. Wood White
53. Large White
54. Small White
55. Green Veined White
56. Western Dappled White
57. Bath White

[David M]

Nymphalidae - Fritillaries

Meadow Fritillaries turned up in low numbers:

Glanville Fritillaries were somewhat commoner:

Spotted Fritillaries were a regular (and welcome) sight, especially the females:

58. Cardinal
59. Dark Green Fritillary
60. Provençal Fritillary
61. Weaver's Fritillary
62. Pearl Bordered Fritillary
63. Marsh Fritillary
64. Queen of Spain Fritillary
65. Heath Fritillary
66. Glanville Fritillary
67. Spotted Fritillary
68. Meadow Fritillary
69. Knapweed Fritillary

[Padfield]

Hi David. Very interesting reading this: I've only visited the Pyrenees in July and August.

You mention mountain argus. According to Leraut and others, the species in the eastern Pyrenees is Aricia montensis. It's controversial still, but the twitcher in me likes to split at the species level where possible!

The picture you post as Provençal fritillary looks like a meadow fritillary to me...

Guy

[David M]

I thought it was parthenoides at first, Guy, but the reddish palp and the slight dumb-bell shape of the marking in S1b, rather than the standalone 'oblique', made me err towards deione.

How sure are you?

[David M]

Nymphalidae - Aristocrats

Aside from Map and Camberwell Beauty, we pretty much cleaned up on this group. Just one Large Tortoiseshell, and that was at the top of Força Real the day before guests arrived:

Southern White Admirals built in number towards the end of the trip:

70. Two Tailed Pasha
71. Small Tortoiseshell
72. Large Tortoiseshell
73. Comma
74. Peacock
75. Southern White Admiral
76. Red Admiral
77. Painted Lady

[Padfield]

I thought it was parthenoides at first, Guy, but the reddish palp and the slight dumb-bell shape of the marking in S1b, rather than the standalone 'oblique', made me err towards deione.

How sure are you?

Hi David. On the basis of that photo alone, I have to say I wouldn't have considered deione and I wouldn't have questioned parthenoides. It just looks like parthenoides and I can't see any feature to make me doubt that. That doesn't equate to saying I'm 100% confident, because I'm old and wise enough not to have 100% confidence in myself; but I'd certainly stake a round of fine ale for your group on it!

Guy

EDIT (after seeing David's next reply): I'm now beginning to suffer from the visual equivalent of semantic satiation - i.e., I've looked at it so much I've lost the intuitive feeling. If it's not parthenoides I could consider nevadensis - but still not deione.

[David M]

Thanks, Guy. I know what you're saying and it's good enough for me.

Image caption amended!

[David M]

Nymphalidae - Satyrids

Two Erebia seen, De Prunner's and Bright-Eyed Ringlet. We missed out on Dusky Heath which was a shame, but we picked up a few Pearly Heaths to compensate.

Once again a very early Great Banded Grayling turned up, whilst there were several Large Wall Browns flying:

78. Pearly Heath
79. Small Heath
80. Large Wall Brown
81. Wall Brown
82. Spanish Gatekeeper
83. Meadow Brown
84. Western Marbled White
85. Great Banded Grayling
86. Speckled Wood
87. Bright Eyed Ringlet
88. De Prunner's Ringlet

[David M]

Nearly 90 species is par for the course for this trip. It's always been a favourite area of Europe for me, with the mountains rising sharply from the sea and providing an amazing array of habitat (not to mention scenery).

There are plenty of other things to keep you interested apart from butterflies. These mating ascalaphids were a first for me:

The wild daffodils above 1,300m are a delight too:

[selbypaul]

I loved that trip in 2022, and glad that, despite the forecast poor weather, it stayed away. Another great report.

[Roger Gibbons]

There seems to be one notable absentee - Spanish Fritillary (Euphydryas desfontainii), which is more than a bit worrying. If a group spending a week in the prime region can't find it, it suggests that it might have disappeared from its one-time stronghold.

Roger

[David M]

I loved that trip in 2022, and glad that, despite the forecast poor weather, it stayed away. Another great report.

It's one of the best ones for sure, Paul (if the weather is good). It coincides with that time of year when plant growth is hitting its stride and many butterflies are newly emerging.

[David M]

There seems to be one notable absentee - Spanish Fritillary (Euphydryas desfontainii), which is more than a bit worrying. If a group spending a week in the prime region can't find it, it suggests that it might have disappeared from its one-time stronghold.

Have only seen desfontainii twice on this trip, Roger, the last time being in 2018.

It may well have disappeared, possibly due to collecting, but as you know, it is still around elsewhere.