Switzerland, July 2006
Switzerland, July 2006
Switzerland, July 2006
Switzerland, July 2006
Switzerland, July 2006
Switzerland, July 2006
Switzerland, July 2006
Switzerland, July 2006
All these insects were photographed in Switzerland, where it is now known that only the species Hipparchia genava flies. This butterfly is extremely closely related to the rock grayling, Hipparchia alcyone, and distinguishable with certainty only by examining the jullien organs (which can apprently be done in the hand on a living butterfly without harming it, but I've never tried). In Switzerland it is locally common in hot parts of the Rhône Valley.