In July 1998 I`ve spent 10 days collecting butterflies in Tver` region, in the middle flow of Mologa river, near the village Ogryzkovo, Maksatikha district, approximately 120 km. to the north of Tver` city or 280 km. to the north-northwest from Moscow. The biotopes were either forests of southern taiga type, with Scots pines (Pinus sylvestris) and Norway spruces (Picea abies) or water-meadows with isles of English oak (Quercus robur) and sallows (Salix sp.) growing on the river banks.

I have recorded 29 species of Papilionoidea in this area, which was approximately 2x2 km. in size.

1. Pieris brassicae Linnaeus, 1758. Large White.

Common in meadows, I did not take any specimens of this and the following 3 species, as they are widespread and common all over central Russia.

2. Artogeia rapae Linnaeus, 1758. Small White.

Common in meadows as well.

3. Artogeia napi Linnaeus, 1758. Green - veined White.

Abundant in meadows.

4. Gonepteryx rhamni Linnaeus, 1758. Brimstone.

Abundant in meadows and light woodland.

5. Leptidea sinapis Linnaeus, 1758. Wood White.

1 female only, was caught in sallow woodland, near the edge of the forest. The specimen is in my collection.

6. Quercusia quercus Linnaeus, 1758. Purple Hairstreak.

Occasional, although could have been more common than it was apparent, due to secretive behaviour of butterflies. Was flying among oak and sallow trees, sometimes descending to ground level. 1 male and 3 females are in my collection. More females have been seen.

7. Thecla betulae Linnaeus, 1758. Brown Hairstreak.

Surprizingly, this generally uncommon species enjoyed a massive population explosion in that locality at the time of my stay. Nowhere else I have seen it in such numbers, where up to 5 could be seen feeding on a single scabious flowerhead. The sexes were of equal abundance. The males` undersides are very bland in colour, and have a greyish tint, on comparison with individuals from Moscow region, this can be seen on the photo here. Females` undersides are as colourful as usual, though.

3 males and 3 females are in my collection. About 200 more were seen flying in meadows and forest edges.

8. Lycaena phlaeas Linnaeus, 1761. Small Copper.

Frequent in the forest edges with plenty of flowers. This species was also seen by me, but in abundance, near Protivye, Vesyegonsk district, also in Tver` region, but about 120 km. to the north-east from this site. From there I did not bring any, but from this site 2 males and 1 female were collected.

9. Lycaena virgaureae Linnaeus, 1758. Scarce Copper.

A common species almost everywhere in Russia, including this place, flying together with two preceding species. A very light female was seen by me, with background color being yellowish-white, instead of orange. 2 males and 2 females were collected.

10. Celastrina argiolus Linnaeus, 1758. Holly Blue.

1 female was caught, flying in the sallow thicket.

11. Aricia allous Geyer, 1837. Northern Argus.

Frequent in meadows. I`ve caught 1 female which is quite reminiscent of Aricia agestis in having prominent orange submarginal lunules on upperside of all wings.

12. Cyaniris semiargus Rottemburg, 1775. Mazarine Blue.

The flight period of that species was definitely coming to an end, as all I got is 2 worn - out females of an overall common species. Both are in my collection.

13. Polyomattus amanda Schneider, 1792. Amanda`s Blue.

Same as above, except I caught 3 worn - out females.

14. Nymphalis antiopa Linnaeus, 1758. Camberwell Beauty.

Frequent, especially on the forest edges, and roadsides. I`ve never seen it far from the trees. No individuals of this and the next 4 species were caught.

15. Inachis io Linnaeus, 1758. Peacock.

Very common in open places with plenty of flowers.

16. Vanessa atalanta Linnaeus, 1758. Red Admiral.

1 specimen was seen in a woodland clearing.

17. Aglais urticae Linnaeus, 1758. Small Tortoiseshell.

Frequent, flying together with Inachis io.

18. Polygonia c-album Linnaeus, 1758. Comma.

Frequent, but not as preceding species.

19. Araschnia levana Linnaeus, 1758. Map Butterfly.

Frequent, flying near sallow thickets, on clearings with plenty of flowers. 1 female was collected.

20. Argynnis paphia Linnaeus, 1758. Silver - washed Fritillary.

Common in light woodland. Unlike other fritillaries here, was never seen to stray away from the trees. No specimens were taken. Females of f. valezina have not been seen.

21. Argyronome laodice Pallas, 1771. Pallas`s Fritillary.

2 males have been caught for collection, both flying powerfully over a meadow, not visiting any flowers. In both the wings are damaged, presumably by birds.

22. Mesoacidalia aglaja Linnaeus, 1758. Dark Green Fritillary.

1 male was caught on a meadow nearby a pine forest. Not encountered apart from that.

23. Fabriciana adippe Denis et Schiffermueller, 1775. High Brown Fritillary.

Common in open places with flowers, sometimes in light woodland. 2 males and 2 females were collected. f. cleodoxa not found.

24. Brenthis ino Rottemburg, 1775. Lesser Marbled Fritillary.

Common, flying in the same places as preceding species, where the hostplant, the meadowsweet, is growing. 2 males and 3 females caught for collection.

25. Clossiana selene Denis et Schiffermueller, 1775. Small Pearl - bordered Fritillary.

Occasional. I`ve got a feeling that the main flight period of this species already passed, when I was around. 2 females were collected.

26 Clossiana freija Thunberg, 1791. Frejya`s Fritillary.

1 female was caught in the same place as most of Quercusia quercus. Both these species are close to the edges of their distributions at this locality, but one comes from the southern broadleaved forests (the hairstreak), while this fritillary is an arctic species. Thus the Tver` region provides a combination of habitats that suits both arctic and temperate fauna.

27. Erebia ligea Linnaeus, 1758. Arran Brown.

1 female was caught in a light pine forest. It seems to me to belong to f. dovrensis. I have also seen this species during my first trip to Tver` region, in 1994, 50 kilometers from this place down the Mologa river, in Lesnoye district.

28. Maniola jurtina Linnaeus, 1758. Meadow Brown.

Abundant in meadows everywhere. 1 very light female was caught.

29. Coenonympha glycerion Borkhausen, 1788. Chestnut Heath.

Occasional on grassy meadows, was observed during last days of flight period, could well have been much more common earlier in the season. 1 male and 1 female, both worn - out, were collected.

Copyright 1999. Vlad Proklov.