The Queen of Spain fritillary (Issoria lathonia) is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae.

Subspecies

Subspecies include:

  • Issoria lathonia lathonia
  • Issoria lathonia isaea <small>(Gray, 1846)</small> (Himalaya, Yunnan)
  • Issoria lathonia messora <small>(Fruhstorfer, 1909)</small> (China)
  • Issoria lathonia isaeoides <small>Reuss, 1925</small> (Sichuan, China)

Distribution and habitat

This migratory species is widespread in most of Europe, in North Africa, Canary Islands, and in the eastern Palearctic realm (Central Asia, Himalayas, Baluchistan, and Western China). These butterflies live in open areas, in dry lawns, agricultural wastelands and in extensive crops at altitudes between sea level and 2700&nbsp;m.

Description

Issoria lathonia is a medium-sized butterfly with a wingspan of .

In the dry regions Issoria lathonia carries out a seasonal vertical migration between hardy evergreen shrubs and small trees of plains and mountain fir pines, where it remains in summer to descend in autumn at low altitude.