The Landmark, also known as Araschnia levana, is a species of butterfly belonging to the family Nymphalidae. What makes this butterfly so distinctive is its distinctive wing pattern that is very reminiscent of the lines on a map, hence the name. This beautiful butterfly is widespread and is found in large parts of Europe, Asia and North America.
The landmark goes through a remarkable life cycle with two distinct generations, each with its own unique appearance. The spring generation, also called the 'levana' generation, has a bright orange-brown colour with black spots and stripes resembling the lines of a map. In contrast, the summer generation, also called the 'prorsa' generation, has a dark colour with prominent white spots.
The country map's habitat varies, but it generally prefers open areas such as forests, forest edges, meadows and gardens. A nectar lover, the butterfly feeds mainly on the nectar of various flowers, including thistles, blackberries and deadnettles.
Apart from its striking appearance, the checkerboard also plays an important role in the ecosystem as a pollinator of various plant species.
Hi hi, Jacob here! I am an enthusiastic nature lover from the Netherlands. I have been bird watching since I was 11, and actually from the beginning I started photography right away. First with compact cameras, nowadays with more expensive equipment. Occasionally I photograph landscapes, but.. Read more…