| ADULT |
Wingspan - 58 - 68mm. The male is a rich orange with
variable dark spots amidst a series of dark edged veins.
There is always an arc of post-discal spots on the hindwing with the
central one more often than not usually smallest. The female is lighter
in colour and has a series of paler spots around the margin of each wing
as shown above. |
| CHRYSALIS |
19mm. Reddish brown to black with a curved
abdomen. Located deep within grassy tussocks and violet
clumps. |
| LARVA |
38mm. When young the caterpillar is pale-yellow but
after hibernation and when fully grown it becomes spiny, velvety,
purplish black with red flank spots and white specks. |
| EGG |
Yellow at first then acquiring purple marks,
conical. Located on violets especially common dog, hairy and
marsh. Hatching time within 18 days. |
| BEHAVIOUR |
A strong, fast and direct flyer with males that patrol
their territory constantly. Several quick wingbeats and a swift
glide are distinctive of the males flight with the females being more
fluttering as they seek out nectar rich flowers. |
| HABITAT |
Dunes, rough grassland, heathland and moors. |
| FLIGHT PERIOD |
July - August. |
