Dark Green Fritillary; Lunares de Plata

Description:

A female, I think. Butterfly of the Nymphalidae family. 50-60 mm wingspan. Very similar to the High Brown Fritillary (A. adippe) and the Niobe Fritillary (A. niobe), although niobe is usually slightly smaller. The upperside can be differentiated from the Niobe Fritillary by the rather heavier marginal marks on both upper forewing and under hindwing of aglaja compared to niobe. The undersides of each of the three species are different and more easily easily distinguishable than the uppersides. The lower regions of the hindwing are greenish except the postdiscal band that is orange and without spots They are avid nectar feeders and typically feed in early morning or late afternoon, when they will constantly fly from flower head to flower head staying at each flower for only a few seconds. This behaviour makes them very difficult to observe. The caterpillars feed most often at Viola species.

Habitat:

Pine tree forest in the mountains. Parque Nacional de Sierra de Guadarrama, Peñalara.

Notes:

Camera Model: NIKON D300. Exposure Time: 1/320 sec.; f/9; ISO Speed Rating: 800. Exposure Bias: 0 EV. Focal Length: 300.0 mm. No Flash fired