Duke of Burgundy Hamearis lucina

Male, prominently perching.
Male, prominently perching.
Female, slightly lighter in appearance than the male.
Female, slightly lighter in appearance than the male.
A pair mating...
A pair mating...
The pair just after mating (male on the right)
The pair just after mating (male on the right)
Mark-release-recapture research underway to understand the mobility of this species
Mark-release-recapture research underway to understand the mobility of this species
Underside (female)
Underside (female)
Eggs, usually laid in small clusters on underside of <i>primula</i>
Eggs, usually laid in small clusters on underside of primula
 
Information

Law: Protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Red List status: Vulnerable
NERC Act S41: Species of Principal Importance
Local status: Local and rare. Just two areas of population in the county.
Size: Small.
Larval foodplant: Usually Cowslip. Other primulas also used.
No. of broods: One
Flight time(s): Late April to early June.
Average first date: 26th April
Average last date: 8th June
Winter: Pupa
Habits: Males are territorial, perching on scrub and chasing everything that flies into their area. Females are more secretive and skulk around in the undergrowth avoiding the males.
Habitats: Currently uses scrubby chalk downland, but has used woodland in the past. They particularly use larval foodplants in the scrub-grass interface.
Distribution: