Friday, 10 September, 2010 homebutterfliesmothseventspressrecordingprojectsreservemembershipmagazinedownloadaboutcontactlinks Butterflies of Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull Duke of Burgundy Hamearis lucina Once known as 'Mr Vernon’s Small Fritillary’, the Duke of Burgundy's dark brown upper side marked with vivid orange spots is distinctive and unlike any other butterfly of its size. It can be seen from early May to mid June with a peak in numbers occurring in mid May with individuals living up to 5 day as adult butterflies. The female Duke of Burgundy stay hidden for much of the day but after mating may travel up to 5km in search of suitable habitat. This can only occur where suitable natural corridors along which they will move occur. Where this freedom of movement occurs, new colonies can become established. Unfortunately, modern agricultural practices has resulted in the species failure to create new colonies so as old colonies are lost, no new colonies are able to establish and replace the old colonies. The adults rarely visit flowers. Territorial males are more commonly encountered as they perch on a prominent leaf at the edge of scrub. They usually occur in low numbers, even on the best sites. Larval Food plants Cowslip (Primula veris) Primrose (Primula vulgaris) Habitat Requirements Historically a woodland clearing species, the number of sites where the Duke of Burgundy is present has fallen dramatically in the UK as a whole. In Warwickshire, the Duke of Burgundy was present until 1987 but is now Extinct in the region. Warwickshire Status Extinct 1987 Where to see the Duke of Burgundy Extinct in the Warwickshire area. Last recorded sighting at Ettington Park in 1987. Other Species Please select an alternative species from the list below. Bath White Black Hairstreak Black-veined White Brimstone Brown Argus Brown Hairstreak Camberwell Beauty Chalkhill Blue Chequered Skipper Clouded Yellow Comma Common Blue Dappled White Dark Green Fritillary Dingy Skipper Duke of Burgundy Essex Skipper Gatekeeper Geranium Bronze Green Hairstreak Green-veined White Grizzled Skipper High Brown Fritillary Holly Blue Large Skipper Large Tortoiseshell Large White Long-tailed Blue Map Marbled White Marsh Fritillary Mazarine Blue Meadow Brown Orange-tip Painted Lady Pale Clouded Yellow Peacock Pearl-bordered Fritillary Purple Emperor Purple Hairstreak Red Admiral Ringlet Silver-studded Blue Silver-washed Fritillary Small Blue Small Copper Small Heath Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary Small Skipper Small Tortoiseshell Small White Speckled Wood Swallowtail Wall Brown White Admiral White-letter Hairstreak Wood White © Steven Cheshire - Gloucestershire First Sightings First sighting dates are based on records of Duke of Burgundy submitted online. Please note that these dates are not updated retrospectively to include records submitted to the branch recorder in other forms. © Steven Cheshire - Gloucestershire   © Steven Cheshire - Gloucestershire Adult Flight Times The flight chart below is based on observations of the adult Duke of Burgundy in Warwickshire between 2005 and 2008. Peak periods are shown in dark green. Warwickshire Distribution Maps base on Vice County (CV38) which includes Coventry and Solihull Distribution of the Duke of Burgundy during the indicated period. Key to Warwickshire Maps: sightings 12-910+       2007 Distribution Data (1yr)   2008 available soon   2009 Distribution Data (1yr)   2000-09 Distribution Data (10yr) © Butterfly Conservation WarwickshirePrivacy and Copyright Statement Butterfly Conservation is a non-profit-making company limited by guarantee, registered in England (2206468) Registered Office: Manor Yard, East Lulworth, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 5QP Charity registered in England & Wales (254937) and in Scotland (SCO39268)   Web site designed and maintained by Steven Cheshire