Highlandscape

By iainmac

A 'Busy' Pair of Scotch Argus Butterflies

Need I say more?

"Despite its name, the Scotch Argus is not only found in Scotland; it is also found at two sites in the north of England. A freshly-emerged Scotch Argus is a sight to behold, the dark brown velvety uppersides making the butterfly appear almost jet black from a distance. The butterfly is unmistakable when seen basking with its wings open, when orange bands containing distinctive spots are revealed. This butterfly lives in well-defined colonies that are often very large.
Like the Mountain Ringlet, the ability of this butterfly to survive cool temperatures means that it was probably one of the first species to recolonise the British Isles after the last ice age, over 10,000 years ago. The English colonies, Arnside Knott and Smardale Gill, are both found in Westmorland. Colonies are much more numerous in Scotland, where this butterfly can be found in most of northern, western and south-west Scotland. This butterfly is absent from the lowlands of central Scotland, many of the western isles (including the Outer Hebrides), Orkney and Shetland."

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