Callimorpha dominula L.

LADY BEAR
Callimorpha dominula L.
Bear lady. The length of the forewing is 25-28 mm. The forewings are black with a metallic green sheen, covered with white and yellow spots of irregular shape. The hindwings are bright red with a band of black spots along the outer edge and a black spot in the middle of the front edge. The breast is black and green with two longitudinal yellow stripes; the abdomen is red with a black stripe in the middle.
Distribution. The center and south of the European part of the USSR, the Caucasus and Transcaucasia; outside the USSR-Northern Turkey.
Habitats. Sparse deciduous and partly mixed forests, clearings, edges with shrubs, valleys of forest rivers and streams. Currently, the habitats are exposed to significant anthropogenic impact (recreational loads in densely populated areas, industrial construction, the use of pesticides and especially arboricides, logging, mass grazing of livestock).
The number and trend of its change. It is noticeably reduced, judging by the fees of previous years and the present time. In some local habitats, the density may still be quite high, which leads to an exaggeration of the overall assessment of the well-being of the species.
The main limiting factors. Deterioration or complete destruction of habitats due to economic activities (logging and overgrazing, which leads to the death of a significant part of the forage plants of the species), due to an increase in recreational loads, leading both to a decrease in the forage base and to the direct extermination of butterflies of this species.
Features of biology. The species is sedentary, producing 1 generation per year. The butterfly flies are observed in June-July; they feed on flowers. Egg laying and caterpillar feeding occur on dioecious and deaf nettles, forget-me-nots, buttercups, as well as on honeysuckle and other plants. The wintering stage is a caterpillar that pupates in a light cocoon on the ground.
Necessary security measures. The species should be protected in nature reserves located on the territory of its range (reserves of the Baltic States, Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, the Caucasus and Transcaucasia, as well as located in the European part of the RSFSR). Special attention should be paid to the protection of the species on the northern, southern and eastern borders of its range, as well as in densely populated areas of the European part of the USSR. Economic development of the territory should strictly regulate the use of pesticides and arboricides, prohibit grazing under the forest canopy, and take into account the permissible levels of recreational loads.

This post was edited by gpot-03.07.2006 21: 50

Pictures:

Ecaille_marbree_mal.jpg — (40.14к)


callimorpf_lit.jpg — (45.02к)

I'm afraid this butterfly is called Ecaille marbree in French.
And in Latin, it will be Callimorpha dominula L. (Bear-mistress, or Bear-girl). IMHO in some regions of Russia, it is undeservedly listed in the Red Book.

You're right, I could only find this butterfly name on French-language websites. I understood that it was a bear and searched for the name through its relative Epicallia vilica. Thanks for the Latin name, now I'll find some information about it.

A few more photos.

Pictures:

br_callimorpha.jpg — (118.14к)


callimorph2.jpg — (139.7к)


callimorph3.jpg — (138.43к)


two_callimorph.jpg — (142.06к)

Very nice butterfly. Maybe even our most beautiful butterfly!
I note that they are very easy to deduce. Caterpillars willingly eat nettles, very unpretentious.
I will also add that in the conditions of the middle zone, it prefers damp forest clearings and edges. It is found in swampy forests and peat bogs. Therefore, first of all, draining the swamps can lead to its disappearance.