Perlamutrovki

Perlamutrovki

 

the Russian common name for several genera of butterflies of the family Nymphalidae. The wingspread ranges from 3 to 12 cm. The coloration of the upperside of the wing is usually rusty with black spots and stripes; the underside is variously colored and often has shiny opalescent or silvery spots and bands. The butterflies are distributed in the northern hemisphere, predominantly in temperate latitudes. The following species, among others, are found in the USSR: Argynnis paphia, Pandoriana pandora, Fabriciana aglaia, Issoria lathonia, and Glossiana selene. The caterpillars live on herbaceous plants but do not cause any significant damage.