ssp. hispulla
with orange on the underside hindwing
Arguably the commonest European butterfly. It
flies from north Africa into southern Scandinavia. It is often abundant
throughout the range and can be found in dry or damp conditions upto
moderate altitudes (1500m or so) and in any variety of grassy habitats.
In Spain, north Africa and S France the subspecies hispulla
flies. This is somewhat brighter orange and has orange markings in the
underside hindwing post discal band.