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Duke of Burgundy

Duke of Burgundy Butterfly (Hamearis lucina)

 

Rare localised and widely distributed, the Duke of Burgundy butterfly can only found on a small number of sites in Britain. The most northerly being the Lake District, North York Moors and a small scattering of sites across the central southern counties.

As one of the fastest declining British Butterflies, the Duke of Burgundy has been falling in numbers in many areas for the last 60 years, with a dramatic drop in numbers noted over the past couple of decades.

It is among the list of Priority Species and Habitats of the governments UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP) helped along by Butterfly Conservation.

Duke of Burgundy Butterfly - Ivinghoe Beacon

Duke of Burgundy (Hamearis lucina) Fm

Colonies are usually small, consisting of around 6 adult butterflies, the males rest openly on foliage wings outstretched in warm sunshine waiting for passing females. After mating the females may fly some distance before laying their eggs, choosing Wild Primrose (Primula vulgaris) in woodland and Cowslip (prumula veris) in grassy areas.

Information

  • Name:Duke of Burgundy (Hamearis lucina)
  • Family Group: (Riodinidae) Metalmarks
  • Size around: 30mm
  • Habitat: Woodlands with open areas and shady glades, Limestone or chalk sheltered areas scrubby grassland
  • When to see: May – June.
  • Adult Nectar Plant:
  • Caterpillars feed on: Primrose (Primula vulgaris) woodland colonies, Cowslip (Primula Veris) most common.
  • Photographed: 19-5-2013, Ivinghoe Beacon, Buckinghamshire.

Duke of Burgundy Butterfly (Hamearis lucina) Male

The Duke of Burgundy is a small butterfly with a wing span around 30mm. The males are black with 3 orange bands crossed with black veins on the fore-wings, on close inspection they only have 4 legs the 2 forelegs are small and unused.

The females may appear similar to the males but with wider orange markings, a broader abdomen and 6 noticeable legs. The under-wings of both sexes bare 2 rows of distinctive white spots on the hind wings.

The Duke of Burgundy butterflies can be first seen from the end of April with numbers peaking around the second week in May, although on occasions a few butterflies may be seen in August. Despite being a woodland butterfly, just a small number can still found in their primary habitat, greater numbers now seem to colonise areas of limestone or chalk scrubby grassland.

Duke of Burgundy (Hamearis lucina) wing undersides

Duke of Burgundy wing undersides

© Urban Butterfly Garden 2010-2024

Cowslips (primula veris) a popular spring wild flower

 

An early Spring herbaceous perennial, with yolk yellow bell shaped short stalked flowers, on stems up to 30cm high seen from April to June. The leaves are in a Basal rosette, arranged around the base of the flower stem, long oval shaped wrinkled and hairy underneath.

Locally common, in central and southern areas of the UK, Cowslips are often found on open unimproved calcareous grassland, other places include Roadside verges, Embankments, Gardens and tracks.

Cowslips provide a welcome nectar source for Butterflies, Bees and many other insects in early spring, it is also an essential larval food plant for the Duke of Burgundy Butterfly.

Cowslip close-up of yellow flowers in spring

Cowslip (prumula veris) close-up of flowers

Cowslips (primula veris) yellow

Cowslips (primula veris) growing in a Wild Flower Meadow

grow Cowslips from seed

Grow Cowslips (Primula veris) from seed, they are available from Thompson & Morgan, for more information Visit Thompson & Morgan Here

Plant Information

  • Name: Cowslip (primula veris)
  • Type: Herbaceous perennial
  • Also Known As: Herb Peter, Fairy Cups
  • Where: Found locally through-out Britain except far north of Scotland
  • Habitat: Often found on – Meadows, Roadside verges, Embankments, Gardens and tracks.
  • When does it flower? April to June.
  • Fruiting: n/a.
  • Height around: 30cm.
  • Larval Food Plant: Duke of Burgundy Butterfly (Hamearis lucina)

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