Red Underwing Skipper (Spialia sertorius)
Route des Astragales, Queyras, Hautes-Alpes
Named for the reddish-brown shade of the underwings, this little skipper is widespread across western Europe, although totally absent from the British Isles.
It is similar to other dark 'Pyrgus-type' skippers but differs in the reddish tint and fairly sparse scattering of white spots on both wings and a complete row of submarginal white spots on both wings as well.
It is similar to other dark 'Pyrgus-type' skippers but differs in the reddish tint and fairly sparse scattering of white spots on both wings and a complete row of submarginal white spots on both wings as well.
Silver-spotted Skipper (Hesperia comma)
below Crete de Gilly, Queyras, Hautes-Alpes
below Col des Champs, Alpes Maritimes
While a rarity with a restricted range in Britain, the Silver-spotted Skipper is a much more common sight in mainland Europe, inhabiting many dry habitats from the lowlands to alpine meadows.
The species is described in more detail here, where British individuals can be seen.
The species is described in more detail here, where British individuals can be seen.
Safflower Skipper (Pyrgus carthami)
Col de Tende, Alpes Maritimes
Pyrgus is the largest genus of skippers in Europe, with sixteen species, fourteen of which are found in France. They are very similar species, essentially looking like subtle variations on the widespread Grizzled Skipper (P.malvae).
The Safflower Skipper's best identifying feature is a continuous white band on the underside of the hindwings. In the absence of seeing this, I've identified this individual based on the pattern of white spots on the upper side of the hindwings.
The Safflower Skipper is one of the most widespread European species, being found in a wide band from Spain through central Europe and into southern Russia.
The Safflower Skipper's best identifying feature is a continuous white band on the underside of the hindwings. In the absence of seeing this, I've identified this individual based on the pattern of white spots on the upper side of the hindwings.
The Safflower Skipper is one of the most widespread European species, being found in a wide band from Spain through central Europe and into southern Russia.
Olive Skipper (Pyrgus serratulae)
Gordolasque, Mercantour PN, Alpes Maritimes
The Olive Skipper is one of several widely-distributed Pyrgus species sadly absent from the British Isles. In France it can be seen in warm, grassy habitats over the whole country, apart from the north-west coastal regions.
Identifying features of the Olive Skipper are the very pale, obscure spots on the upper hindwings and the olive-green underwings (hence the common name). Despite its scientific name, the Olive Skipper's foodplant is Potentilla and not Serratula (in Europe, at least).
Identifying features of the Olive Skipper are the very pale, obscure spots on the upper hindwings and the olive-green underwings (hence the common name). Despite its scientific name, the Olive Skipper's foodplant is Potentilla and not Serratula (in Europe, at least).
Foulquier's Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus foulquieri)
Col Lacroix, Queyras, Hautes-Alpes
An European endemic with a distribution limited to SE France, NE Spain, C Italy and Albania, Foulquier's Grizzled Skipper is found in warm alpine meadows along with other similar species.
The clearest Identifying feature of this butterfly is the faded appearwance of the markings on the upper wings. In other respects it is very similar to the Large Grizzled Skipper (P.alveus).
The clearest Identifying feature of this butterfly is the faded appearwance of the markings on the upper wings. In other respects it is very similar to the Large Grizzled Skipper (P.alveus).
Apollo (Parnassius apollo)
Crete de Gilly, Queyras
Col Lacroix, Queyras
Col de Tende, Alpes Maritimes
Perhaps the most iconic butterfly of the Alps, the Apollo is always a joy to see. Its large size and bold patterning make it easy to identify, with only the Small Apollo being similar.
Apollo larvae feed on Sedums and Sempervivum species, which are common plants in the butterfly's alpine meadow habitats.
The Apollo is one of Europe's few protected butterfly species and is threatened by habitat disturbance and climate change.
Apollo larvae feed on Sedums and Sempervivum species, which are common plants in the butterfly's alpine meadow habitats.
The Apollo is one of Europe's few protected butterfly species and is threatened by habitat disturbance and climate change.
Small Apollo (Parnassius phoebus)
below Col Blanchet, Saint-Veran, Queyras, Hautes-Alpes
Only very slightly smaller than the Apollo, P.phoebus is very similar to look at. It can be distinguished by the red spots on the upper side of the forewings and by its striped antennae.
Its range in Europe is much smaller than the Apollo, being entriely restricted to the Alps.
Its range in Europe is much smaller than the Apollo, being entriely restricted to the Alps.
Peak White (Pontia callidice)
track to Refuge de Carro, Vanoise PN, Savoie
As its name suggests, this is a mountain of high altitudes, restricted in Europe to the Pyrenees (you can see a photo of a Spanish individual here) and Alps.
The multiple black spots on the upperwings, coupled with the high altitude habitat, make it an easy species to identify.
The multiple black spots on the upperwings, coupled with the high altitude habitat, make it an easy species to identify.
Mountain Small White (Pieris erganae)
Col de Tende, Alpes Maritimes
In France, this small species is restricted to hot, dry terrain at the southern end of the Alps ad along the Mediterranean coast.
Males are almost pure white but females can be recognised by their smudged black markings on distinctly greyish upperwings.
Males are almost pure white but females can be recognised by their smudged black markings on distinctly greyish upperwings.
Mountain Clouded Yellow (Colias phicomone)
Col Lacroix, Queyras, Hautes-Alpes (this and previous photo)
Val Gordolasque, Mercantour PN, Alpes Maritimes (this and previous photo)
Col de la Bonette, Mercantour PN, Alpes Maritimes
With a much more washed-out appearance than its brightly-coloured cousin, the Clouded Yellow (C.crocea), this butterfly is the palest Colias species in France. In flight its upperwings are seen to be greyish-green rather than the bright yellow of C.crocea.
As its name suggests, it is a mountain specialist, endemic to the mountains of northern Spain, the Alps and a small area of the Carpathians in eastern Europe.
As its name suggests, it is a mountain specialist, endemic to the mountains of northern Spain, the Alps and a small area of the Carpathians in eastern Europe.
Scarce Copper (Lycaena virgaureae)
Ecrins PN, Hautes-Alpes
This beautiful species is described in the Butterflies of Spain - Lycaenids section of the site.
Purple-shot Copper (Lycaena alciphron ssp.gordius)
Reserve Naturelle Nationale Ristolas Mont Viso, Queyras, Hautes-Alpes
Col de Tende, Alpes Maritimes
This attractive species is well-named, as the wings of the male (but not the female) do indeed have a distinct purple sheen to them. The underwings have an even band of orange behind the black marginal spots - this useful feature separates from the very similar Sooty Copper, which has orange spots rather than a solid band.
The Purple-shot Copper has a wide distribution across much of Europe, except the far north and Iberia. In the west, it tends to be more of a montane species.
The Purple-shot Copper has a wide distribution across much of Europe, except the far north and Iberia. In the west, it tends to be more of a montane species.
Blue-spot Hairstreak (Satyrium spini)
Ecrins PN, Hautes-Alpes
Route des Astragales, Queyras, Hautes-Alpes
Named for the iridescent blue spot next to the characteristic tails on the hindwings, the Blue-spot Hairstreak is widespread across France apart from the north-west coast.
It is one of a number of rather similar-looking grey-brown hairstreaks, all of which occur in France, but none possess the blue spot of this species.
You can find more information about this species in the Butterflies of Spain - Lycaenids section of the site.
It is one of a number of rather similar-looking grey-brown hairstreaks, all of which occur in France, but none possess the blue spot of this species.
You can find more information about this species in the Butterflies of Spain - Lycaenids section of the site.
Small Blue (Cupido minimus)
Col du Galibier, Savoie
This tiny species is barely blue at all, with males being an inky grey. The Small Blue can be found in dry habitats across France, even high up in the mountains.
In southern France, one must be mindful of its close cousin, the very similar Osiris Blue. Males of this species are blue above, though. Otherwise, the arrangement of the hindwing spots must be looked at.
In southern France, one must be mindful of its close cousin, the very similar Osiris Blue. Males of this species are blue above, though. Otherwise, the arrangement of the hindwing spots must be looked at.
Glandon Blue (Plebejus glandon)
below Col de la Bonette, Mercantour PN, Alpes Maritimes
Very much a high-altitude specialist, the Glandon Blue is a rather drab-coloured 'blue', but always a nice find. It has an overall grey-blue colouration with a small black spot on the upper side of each wing. The underside of the hind wings has a prominent angular white spot in the centre of a brown background.
In France, this species is entirely restricted to the Alps and Pyrenees.
In France, this species is entirely restricted to the Alps and Pyrenees.
Mazarine Blue (Cyaniris semiargus)
Col Lacroix, Queyras, Hautes-Alpes
Found across France and much of Europe, the Mazarine Blue can be seen in just about any grassy habitat from sea level up into the alpine zone.
Identification relies on the arrangement and size of the black spots on the underwings. They are smaller and in a more angular line than in the similar Osiris Blue (Cupido osiris).
Identification relies on the arrangement and size of the black spots on the underwings. They are smaller and in a more angular line than in the similar Osiris Blue (Cupido osiris).
Eros Blue (Polyommatus eros)
Col de Tende, Alpes Maritimes
Very similar to the much more abundant Common Blue, the Eros Blue is an exclusively montane species.
The key identifying feature is the presence of a black spot, rather than line on the underside of the forewing (which can just be seen on this photo), and also the upperwings are a paler blue with wider black borders on the Eros Blue.
The key identifying feature is the presence of a black spot, rather than line on the underside of the forewing (which can just be seen on this photo), and also the upperwings are a paler blue with wider black borders on the Eros Blue.
Brown Argus (Arica agestis)
below Col des Champs, Alpes Maritimes
Col Lacroix, Queyras, Hautes-Alpes
Common in meadows across France and much of Europe, the Brown Argus is easy to recognise, thanks to the orange lunules around the edge of the upperwings and the orange band along the edge of the underwings, which are also covered in many white-ringed black spots.
Chalkhill Blue (Polyommatus coridon)
Route des Astragales, Queyras, Hautes-Alpes (all photos)
In southern France, the widespread Chalkhill Blue occurs alongside the SW European endemic species P.hispanus, the Provence Chalkhill Blue. To distinguish the two, colouration is important, with hispanus being more silvery in flight and having a darker underside. P.coridon also emerges later than hispanus, with the latter's first generation having finished before coridon's single generation is on the wing.
Damon Blue (Polyommatus damon)
below Col des Champs, Alpes Maritimes (all photos)
When viewed from the upper side, this attractive butterfly resembles many other 'blues' and is hard to recognise. The underside of the wings, however, allows for easy identification, thans to the long white streak present in both sexes. Only Ripart's Anomalous Blue (P.ripartii) shares this feature. To distinguish the two species, a close inspection of the hindwing underside will reveal faint lunules on a more yellowish background in ripartii. Male Damon Blues also have blue upperwings - Ripart's Blue males have brown upperwings.
The Damon Blue is found in most mountainous areas of central and southern Europe, typically in dry, calcareous habitats.
The Damon Blue is found in most mountainous areas of central and southern Europe, typically in dry, calcareous habitats.