Introduction
The genus Brenthis comprises of 4 species – daphne, ino, hecate and mofidii. All are restricted to temperate regions of Europe or Asia. The underside wings have patterns similar to those of Boloria and Clossiana but unlike them they do not have any silver markings.
Brenthis daphne is found throughout central and southern Europe, and across temperate Asia to Siberia, Altai, Amur, Korea and Japan.
Habitats
This butterfly is found in woodland edge habitats, including meadows, pastures, and well drained scrubby grassland.
Lifecycle
The fully grown larva is cream coloured with broken dark brown stripes along the back and sides, and orange multi-branched lateral and dorsal spikes. The larval foodplants include Sanguisorba and Rubus ( Rosaceae ); and Viola ( Violaceae ).
Adult
Both sexes nectar at a wide range of herbaceous plants but particularly favour Origanum and other Lamiaceae.
