Map butterfly (spring form – Araschnia levana)
The map butterfly has both a spring and a summer form. The caterpillars from the second generation hibernate and become the spring form. This generation is orange in color on the upper side and covered with black spots. There are blue spots on the lower edge. The underside of the wings is reddish-brown with a white band. The wingspan ranges from 32 to 38 mm.
Map butterfly (summer form – Araschnia levana)
The map butterfly has a spring and a summer form. The caterpillars from the first generation become the summer form. This generation is black on top and has a white band. There are orange spots on the lower edge. The underside of the wings is reddish brown with a white band. The wingspan ranges from 38 to 43 mm.
The caterpillars are black in color and covered with branched spines. In the second caterpillar stage, a pair of spines develops. This distinguishes them from other nymphalidae caterpillars. They can reach a length of up to 25 mm. The caterpillars’ main food plants include nettles.
~ The map butterfly was voted “Butterfly of the Year 2007” ~