Duke of Burgundy

(Hamearis lucina)

Male 15/04/07 Rhône (69)

26/04/08 Rhône (69)

26/04/08 Rhône (69)

29/04/10 Rhône (69)

26/04/08 Rhône (69)

26/04/08 Rhône (69)

26/04/08 Rhône (69)

The Duke of Burgundy is a rather local species which lays its eggs on primroses and cowslips, very often on calcareous soils. In many areas the butterflies fly in a single spring time generation but a summer generation flies locally at certain sites. It is a small butterfly with a surprising and rather rapid and erratic flight pattern that is intermediary between that of a lycaenid and a skipper. However, at times it seems to bounce about like a miniature Wall Brown! Crazy!! A superb little butterfly.