This butterfly is also rare in the UK and has only one brood per year in northern europe. However, here in SW France they have 2 or even 3 broods a year. The caterpillars eat umbelliferous plants and are very fond of fennel, so that is a plant I am sowing and transplanting around the garden to ensure a good supply of food. The adults enjoy sunny places with nectar rich flowers such as buddleia and verbena bonariensis.
b
bonitin
(Zone 8a) |
October 2006 |
Neutral
This butterfly is noted on the red list of endangered species in Belgium and the Netherlands.
It visited my tiny town garden in Gent Belgium on a hot july afternoon attracted by my Buddleia
philomel
bonitin
It visited my tiny town garden in Gent Belgium on a hot july afternoon attracted by my Buddleia