Tim writes: This butterfly is declining right across its European range and Britain has not bucked the trend. This individual was photographed at Finglandrigg National Nature Reserve in North Cumbria. It typically occurs on marshy grassland where its foodplant Devil’s-bit Scabious occurs, but some colonies occur on chalk downland in the south. The plant it is perching on is Common Lousewort which often grows in marshy habitats.
The scientific name Euphydryas comes from “Euphues” (means of goodly shape), and Dryad (a wood nymph). I agree with goodly shape but I’ve never seen it in woodlands. Aurinia was a prophetess mentioned by Tacitus.
Taken with Nikon D7000 Nikkor 105mm f2.8 set at f8 1/640 ISO 800
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A lovely butterfly and photograph Tim. I too have been to that same reserve to see and photograph them, a special place for a rather special butterfly.