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''Argynnis pandora'', the cardinal, is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae. It is common throughout southern Europe and is also found in northern Africa and the Middle east and then east across the
Argynnis pandora MHNT CUT 2013 3 23 Teruel Male Dorsal.jpg, Male
Argynnis pandora MHNT CUT 2013 3 23 Teruel Male Ventral.jpg, Male underside
Argynnis pandora MHNT CUT 2013 3 23 Teruel Female Dorsal.jpg, Female
Argynnis pandora MHNT CUT 2013 3 23 Teruel Female Ventral.jpg, Female underside
Matt Rowling's European Butterflies
Argynnis Butterflies of Europe Butterflies described in 1775 {{Heliconiinae-stub
''Argynnis pandora'', the cardinal, is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae. It is common throughout southern Europe and is also found in northern Africa and the Middle east and then east across the Palearctic
The Palearctic or Palaearctic is the largest of the eight biogeographic realms of the Earth. It stretches across all of Eurasia north of the foothills of the Himalayas, and North Africa.
The realm consists of several bioregions: the Euro-Sibe ...
to northwestern India.
Description in Seitz
The wingspan is 64–80 mm. ''A. pandora Schiff''. (= ''cinara'' F., ''maja'' Cr.) (71c). The largest European ''Argynnis''. Above strongly recalling ''valesina'', but brighter greenish, densely spotted with black. Beneath quite different, the apex of the forewing and the hindwing bright green, the disc of the forewing fleshy red and spotted with deep black, the hindwing with a few narrow bands, which are more white than silvery and vary strongly in number and development.Biology
The butterfly flies from April to SeptemberRowlings, Matt. http://www.eurobutterflies.com/species_pages/pandora.htm. Accessed 1 January 2013. (in Europe typically May to August) depending on the location. In Switzerland, the species is found at altitudes of up to 2600 meters. Among other habitats, it favours deciduous and open pine forests, in which there is a large supply of nectar-rich plants from the genera '' Cirsium'' , ''Carduus
''Carduus'' is a genus of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae, and the tribe Cardueae, one of two genera considered to be true thistles, the other being ''Cirsium''. Plants of the genus are known commonly as plumeless thistles.
'' or '' Centaurea''.
The larvae feed on '' Viola'' species.
References
External links
Matt Rowling's European Butterflies
Argynnis Butterflies of Europe Butterflies described in 1775 {{Heliconiinae-stub