Issoria lathonia Queen of Spain Fritillary

Description

Taxonomy Identification: Family Nymphalidae, first named by Linnaeus in 1758

Colour: Wings are coloured a deep orange-violet, with rounded black spots arranged in regular rows and suffused with greenish-grey in the females. The underside of the hindwings is decorated with large pearly spots and a row of black eyespots with pearly pupils.

Size: Wingspan 38-48mm

Comments & Applications: Commonly called the “Queen of Spain Fritillary” perhaps due to the beautiful row of “pearly” spots on the verso wings, reminiscent of a Queen’s necklace decked with pearls. Its common name first appeared in the second half of the eighteenth century in the works of the artist and illustrator Moses Harris. This beautiful butterfly is distributed across mainland Europe but is absent from the United Kingdom, occurring only as an extremely rare immigrant.

Very popular with the trade for butterfly framing, domes, artwork, photography, interior design and film

Format: Male or Female depending on availability. Available SET with wings spread mounted on a pin OR Unmounted, papered, wings folded, requires relaxing and setting

More information: Wikipedia – Captive Breeding