Nymphalidae: Heliconiinae

07210 Queen of Spain Fritillary Issoria lathonia, (Linnaeus, 1758)

BF1603 (ABH59.016)

Arda valley, 17th June 2010
Arda valley, 17th June 2010
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Arda valley, 17th June 2010
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
 2010-2016
 2017
 2018
 2019
Krachimir, NW Bulgaria, 8th June 2016. Male.
Krachimir, NW Bulgaria, 8th June 2016. Male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Slavyanka foothills, SW Bulgaria, 5th May 2014. Male.
Slavyanka foothills, SW Bulgaria, 5th May 2014. Male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
North of Krumovgrad, Bulgaria. Male.
North of Krumovgrad, Bulgaria. Male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Dobarsko, Rila Mtns., 11th July 2009. Male.
Dobarsko, Rila Mtns., 11th July 2009. Male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Dobrostan plateau, Western Rhodopi Mtns., 30th July 2012, male.
Dobrostan plateau, Western Rhodopi Mtns., 30th July 2012, male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Bezbog, E Pirin Mtns., 30th July 2017. Male.
Bezbog, E Pirin Mtns., 30th July 2017. Male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Western Stara Planina, Bulgaria. 2nd July 2015. Male aberration.
Western Stara Planina, Bulgaria. 2nd July 2015. Male aberration.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Sveshtari, NE Bulgaria, 14th June 2018, Female.
Sveshtari, NE Bulgaria, 14th June 2018, Female.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Topolovgrad, SE Bulgaria, 22nd May 2018. Mating pair - female top.
Topolovgrad, SE Bulgaria, 22nd May 2018. Mating pair - female top.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Belasitsa mountain, 28th June 2006
Belasitsa mountain, 28th June 2006
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Assen's Fortress, Asenovgrad, 11th June 2011.
Assen's Fortress, Asenovgrad, 11th June 2011.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Arda valley, Eastern Rhodopi Mtns., 27th June 2012, male.
Arda valley, Eastern Rhodopi Mtns., 27th June 2012, male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies


General Information

Occurs throughout Bulgaria and is often common.


Wingspan: M: 34-52mm, F: 50-56mm
Foodplant(s): Wild Pansy (Viola tricolor), Field Pansy (Viola arvensis), violets (Viola spp.)
Flying: Several overlapping generations from March to October
UK Presence: Resident
National status: Least Concern

Habitat

Can occur almost anywhere, including at high altitudes, but breeds in disturbed grassland or ruderal habitats where violets such as Heart's Ease (Viola tricolor) and Field Pansy (Viola arvensis) grow.

Regional Information

Recorded in 149 (7.8%) of the 1900 10km squares of Bulgaria.

Last recorded in June 2019

Recorded date range (Adult): 04 May to 11 August

Recorded date range (Pupa): 13 May to 13 May

Similar Species
Studen Kladenets, Eastern Rhodopi Mtns., 15th June 2013, female
Studen Kladenets, Eastern Rhodopi Mtns., 15th June 2013, female
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Silver-washed Fritillary Argynnis paphia
Druzhevo, Western Stara Planina, 16th July 2012.
Druzhevo, Western Stara Planina, 16th July 2012.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Dark Green Fritillary Argynnis aglaja
Borovets, Rila Mtns., 21st June 2010, male
Borovets, Rila Mtns., 21st June 2010, male
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
High Brown Fritillary Argynnis adippe

Least Concern

Larva/Leafmine:
Larva Type:
Spiny
Colours:
Black, red, white
No. of Proleg Pairs:
5