Hamearis lucina
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 Duke of Burgundy, Hamearis lucina
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| Hamearis lucina (Linnaeus, 1758) |
The Duke of Burgundy (Hamearis lucina) is a European butterfly in the family Riodinidae. For many years, it was known as the "Duke of Burgundy Fritillary", because of the adult's similar markings to "true" Fritillaries of the family Nymphalidae.
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[edit] Description
The male Duke of Burgundy has a wingspan of 29–31 mm, and the female 31–34 mm (Oates & Emmet, 1990). The upper side of the wings are marked in a chequered pattern strongly reminiscent of a fritillary butterfly (family Nymphalidae); however, the Duke may be separated on account of its wing shape (Tomlinson & Still, 2002). The Duke also has a distinctive underwing pattern (see image below).
[edit] Range
The species range is restricted to the Western Palaearctic, from Spain, the UK and Sweden to the Balkans (Oates & Emmet, 1990). It is the sole representative of its (sub)family in Europe (Oates & Emmet, 1990).
[edit] Status
Duke of Burgundy was added to the UK Biodiversity Action Plan in 2007 (Butterfly Conservation, 2007). It is also listed in the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which requires anyone wishing to trade the species to have a licence (Butterfly Conservation, n.d.).
[edit] Habitat
Two distinct habitats are used in the UK (Tomlinson & Still, 2002):
- Grassland on chalk or limestone
- Clearings in ancient woodland
Colonies prefer areas where the food plants grow among tussocky vegetation. The species prefers north- or west-facing slopes in downland habitats.
[edit] Habits
As adults, the sexes exhibit distinctly different behavioural patterns. Males are highly territorial, defending small sheltered, but warm, areas. Spectacular aerial "dog fights" occur between males. Females are less "showy", but are prone to wander, frequently travelling 250 m. New colonies have been established more than 5 km from the nearest known existing colony. (Oates & Emmet, 1990; Tomlinson & Still, 2002; Butterfly Conservation, n.d.)
[edit] Life cycle
[edit] Egg
Eggs are typically laid in small groups (up to 8) on the underside of leaves of a host-plant; though they may also be laid singly or on foliage adjacent to the food-plant (e.g. if primulas are growing among dense vegetation, old females laying in hot weather). Particularly "good" plants or leaves may have eggs from more than one female. The egg is spherical, with a flattened base, measuring 0.6 mm in diameter. The eggs are initially glossy and opaque, turning to a uniform pale green; prior to hatching, they develop a distinct dark purple blotch. Significant, though unintentional, predators of Duke of Burgundy eggs are large snails, as they eat primulas in the spring. The eggs hatch after 7–21 days depending on weather conditions. (Oates & Emmet, 1990; Tomlinson & Still, 2002.)
[edit] Caterpillar
Newly emerged caterpillars are almost transparent, with a few long pale hairs. They move down to the base of leaf stems, where they spend the daylight hours (the caterpillars are nocturnal). For most of its first instar (before the first moult), the caterpillar is pale green. There are four instars, lasting about 4 weeks. The full-grown fourth-instar caterpillar measures 16–17 mm. It is pale brown with a dark brown dorsal stripe and numerous hairs; there is also a central black spot on each segment (inside the dorsal stripe). Caterpillars feed mostly on the upper leaf surface, leaving leaf-veins intact, and quite unlike slug feeding signs. The caterpillars will not eat yellowed leaves, and will move on to another host-plant in search of green leaves. Duke of Burgundy caterpillars do not feed at temperatures below 11°C or when it is wet. They have no significant predators or parasites. (Oates & Emmet, 1990; Porter, 1997.)
[edit] Pupa
Duke of Burgundy pupae are short, just 9 mm long. They are pale cream (somewhat tinged pink) with evenly spaced dark brown spots and a few pale hairs. They are found either very low in dense grass or on the ground. The pupal stage lasts 9 months, with likely high mortality rates. Predators of pupae include shrews and slugs. (Oates & Emmet, 1990; Tomlinson & Still, 2002.)
[edit] Imago
[edit] Host-plants
In the UK (Oates & Emmet, 1990; Tomlinson & Still, 2002):
- Cowslip (Primula veris) — the majority of UK colonies
- Primrose (Primula vulgaris) — woodland colonies
- False Oxlip (Primula veris x vulgaris) — few colonies
- Cultivated primulas — in captivity (Porter, 1997)
[edit] References
(printed material only)
- Butterfly Conservation (n.d.), Duke of Burgundy Hamearis lucina factsheet, Butterfly Conservation, East Lulworth, UK. 2p.
- Butterfly Conservation (2007), Priority butterfly species listed in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan 2007, Butterfly Conservation, Wareham, UK. 1p.
- Oates, M. & Emmet, A.M. (1990), HAMEARIS LUCINA (Linnaeus). Pages 177–179 in Emmet, A.M., J. Heath et al. (Eds.) The Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland. The Moths and Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland Vol. 7 Part 1 (Hesperiidae to Nymphalidae), Harley Books, Colechester, UK. 370p.
- Porter, Jim (1997), The Colour Identification Guide to Caterpillars of the British Isles (Macrolepidoptera), Viking, London. p. 14.
- Tomlinson, D. & Still, R. (2002), Britain's Butterflies, WildGuides, Old Basing, UK. pp. 94–95.
[edit] See also
(for Wiki sites)
[edit] External links
(for websites)
- UK Butterflies web-site species page
- Butterfly Conservation species page
- Images on UKLeps web-site (direct link)
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