M. iduna Dalm. (= maturna Hbn.) (65b). This butterfly represents the preceding species
Euphydryas maturna in the high north of Europe and in the mountains of Northern Asia. Male and female not essentially different. All the spots of the central area are ivory yellow above, with the exception of the cell, which contains two red-brown spots on the forewing and one on the hindwing. The underside similar to that of
cynthia, but the pale yellow median and marginal bands much broader, the former moreover not being divided by a black line as is the case in
maturna and
cynthia. In Lapponia, Central and North-East Siberia, not rare. Specimens from the Altai differ from European ones in the stronger silvery gloss of the light markings, especially beneath. In ab.
sulitelmica Schultz (65b) the light median band is narrower and the hindwing above is dusted with black. The species flies early in July in abundance on barren alpine meadows at altitudes of in company with
aurinia and
cinxia. (MHNT) Euphydryas iduna iduna - Abisko Ostras - Suède - female dorsal.jpg|
Euphydryas iduna ♀ (MHNT) Euphydryas iduna iduna - Abisko Ostras - Suède - female ventral.jpg|
Euphydryas iduna ♀ △ ==Biology==