The Metalmark butterflies (Riodinidae) generally thrive in tropical latitudes, particularly those of North and South America, and there are approximately 1,300 known species. The colours vary among butterfly species: those in temperate zones have iridescent green and blue wings, while tropical species have transparent wings. The wings have silvery or gold metallic patches, visible when open or closed. The metallic patches are small to medium in size and vary greatly in pattern. Males have short forelegs that are not used for walking, while females have three pairs of walking legs. Adults usually sit with their wings spread or slightly bent, while many tropical species usually sit upside down on large leaves. Males find mates by perching rather than patrolling. The shape of the eggs varies greatly, but caterpillars are usually snail-shaped. Metalmark butterflies overwinter as larvae or pupae.
Subfamily: Nemeobiinae
Genus: Hamearis
Duke of Burgundy – 2025 (IT)
(NCBI-index: 328891)
The Duke of Burgundy (Hamearis lucina) is not found in the Netherlands. It mainly occurs in chalk grasslands with many primroses. You rarely see them collecting nectar, and the females are often shy, spending most of their time laying eggs. Males are pretty territorial and spend most of their time basking in low vegetation. The Duke of Burgundy is sometimes confused with a fritillary butterfly because of its orange wings with black markings. Still, it belongs to a separate family, which is mainly found in the Americas, with many species. Only one species lives in Europe. The male can be pretty dark, while the female generally has lighter patches to varying degrees. The female is usually noticeably larger, and orange females in particular can resemble a small fritillary. The two rows of white spots on the underside of the hindwing stand out clearly against the dark orange wing. The flight period is one generation from May to June or two, April/June and July/September, depending on altitude, latitude, and local conditions. The wingspan is 29-34 mm. Host plant: Cowslip, Common Primrose. Dutch name: Sleurelbloemvlinder. Frisian name: –
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