Map Butterfly

Map Butterfly (Araschnia levana), first brood, at the nature reserve of Hof ter Saksen.

This type of butterfly is seasonally dimorphic: that is the 2nd generation of the summer, coming along in July, August and September (if it's a good summer) looks completely different. It's a lot darker with a white band.

The 'map' name refers to the lacy patterning on the underwing which looks a bit like contours.

These butterflies always appear in the same little corner of a field at the local park at about this time of year. Once or twice they have arrived in the garden too.