| ADULT |
Wingspan 30-40mm. The dark metallic green forewings have 6 bright red spots which can be variable. The spots may even be yellow or completely black. The hindwings are red with a black fringe. The antennae are thickened towards the end. |
| CHRYSALIS |
Found in a yellowish papery cocoon attached to grass. |
| LARVA |
Dumpy and pale green with 2 rows of black spots along the back. Overwinters in this stage. The foodplant is mainly birds-foot trefoil. The trefoil contains small traces of cyanide which the larva ingests and so has an unpleasant taste which is carried through to adulthood. |
| BEHAVIOUR |
Day flying. |
| HABITAT |
Ubiquitous especially coastal. |
| FLIGHT PERIOD |
June to August. |
| STATUS |
Common throughout. |
.jpg)