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Duke of Burgundy

Hamearis lucina

Not yet photographed by the community

Tiny fritillary-like butterfly; declining chalk and limestone species.

Species Profile

Red List for British Butterflies; nationally scarce and declining due to habitat loss and fragmentation.

Lifespan: approximately 2 weeks as an adult butterfly
Size & Weight: wingspan 27–33 mm
Habitat: Woodland rides, clearings, and margins with abundant cowslip and primrose plants on chalk, limestone, and clay soils.
UK Distribution: Found locally in southern and central England from Devon to Yorkshire, with the strongest populations in the Cotswolds, Sussex, and Hampshire; resident species with a single generation per year.
Diet: Adults feed on nectar from flowers including bugle, germander speedwell, and birds-foot trefoil; caterpillars feed exclusively on primula species, particularly cowslip and oxlip.
Predators: Birds, spiders, and parasitic wasps (particularly tachinid flies targeting caterpillars).
Mating Season: April to June
Breeding: Females lay eggs singly on the underside of primula leaves; caterpillars are solitary and take approximately 4–6 weeks to develop; pupation occurs in a cocoon among leaf litter; single brood per year.
Behaviour: Males are highly territorial and perform a distinctive 'perching' behaviour on low vegetation, darting out to intercept passing insects. The Duke of Burgundy is notably weak in flight compared to other fritillaries, staying close to ground level. Females spend most time searching for suitable foodplants rather than feeding.

Did You Know?

•Despite its name, the Duke of Burgundy is not a true fritillary but belongs to the family Riodinidae, making it the only British representative of this family.
•Its distribution has contracted significantly; it has been lost from many historical strongholds across the Midlands and Wales over the past 50 years.
•The butterfly is entirely dependent on primula plants and cannot survive in areas where these have been removed or degraded.
•Males have a unique courtship behaviour where they perform rapid 'fluttering flights' low over vegetation to attract females.
•The species is highly sensitive to woodland management; it requires open, sunny rides and clearings that are actively maintained to prevent encroaching shade.

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