Duke of Burgundy
FamilyRiodinidae
Scientific NameHamearis lucina
RangeEurope
HabitatWoodland clearings, grassland
About the Duke of Burgundy
The only European member of the metalmark family, which is otherwise most diverse in the American tropics. It resembles a small fritillary, brown with orange checks. Males are territorial and perch on sunny shrubs. Caterpillars feed on cowslip and primrose. It has declined sharply in Britain as woodland clearings and grazed grassland have been lost.