The Queen of Spain fritillary is a butterfly of hot, dusty paths and
sandy wasteland pretty much throughout Europe. It is a rarity in
England but seen every year and sometimes in reasonable numbers. In
1997 at least 28 were seen in Suffolk alone and it cannot be ruled out
that it sometimes breeds in the UK and establishes itself for a few
years until a harsh winter eliminates it.
In Switzerland, the Queen of Spain is continuously brooded throughout
the year. The latest I have seen one was 19th December, 2013 - and the
only reason I didn't continue seeing them that year was that I flew to
England for Christmas on 20th December. I saw the first of 2014 on 8th
January, just 19 days later. Weather permitting, I have regularly seen
them in January and February and know certain sheltered spots where, if
it is sunny, they can be guaranteed to be on the wing then. More
typically in Europe, the species flies from March to October and I
think my Rhône Valley population, living on steep, south-facing
terraced slopes, is exceptional. Apparently, however, Queens can spend
the winter in any stage - egg, caterpillar, pupa or adult - so they are
essentially continuously brooded everywhere, just going into forced
diapause when it gets too cold.
There is no difficulty in identifying the species. The
upperside is
very spotty, the wing shape characteristic and the underside, with its
huge silver blobs unmistakeable. However, it is often very small - as
small as a violet fritillary or small pearl-bordered fritillary - and
this might cause confusion when it is not seen closely. Typically,
spring broods are smaller and darker than summer broods.
The caterpillars feed on violets - preferentially those in the
tricolor
group. In the Rhône Valley, these may be found in leaf throughout the
year, though they are maximal in spring. In March I have counted over
100 adult butterflies on a single walk in the vineyards, and it is
about this time that they spread out and into the mountains. At an
altitude of 1000m I usually see the first ones in April, but
occasionally in March. Through the summer they spread right up to the
highest mountains. They disappear in late autumn from their mountain
haunts. I do not know whether any move back down into the valley to
continue breeding there.
