Map butterfly

Araschnia levana
Map butterfly
Photo: Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA, Wikimedia Commons
Map butterfly
Photo: Jörg Hempel, CC BY-SA, Wikimedia Commons
Map butterfly
Photo: Ivar Leidus, CC BY-SA, Wikimedia Commons

About

The Map butterfly is the smallest of our butterflies, with a wingspan of 3–4 cm. Its main feature is seasonal variability. The butterflies of the spring generation, which fly from April to June, are reddish with black spots and resemble a small broken wing. The summer generation, which emerges in July and August, is quite different: the wings are black with a white band and thin reddish lines.

Both forms are the same species. The coloration depends on the length of the day during which the caterpillar develops: under the short autumn day, the pupae winter and produce the reddish spring form, while under the long summer day without wintering, the black-and-white form emerges.

The underside of the wings in both forms is the same — brown, with a dense network of light lines resembling a geographical map. Hence the English name 'Map butterfly.'

In the Carpathians, the Map butterfly lives in moist forest edges, clearings, along streams, and forest roads where nettle grows. The butterflies feed on the nectar of umbrella plants, sedges, and thistles.

The female lays eggs not in clusters, but in chains: one egg on top of another, a few at a time, and these green 'columns' hang from the underside of the nettle leaf. The caterpillars are black with branched spines and initially live in groups. The pupa overwinters.

Where in the Carpathians

fewermore760 records in the Carpathians

The map shows where naturalists recorded the species (GBIF, CC0 and CC BY records), not every place it lives. The Ukrainian Carpathians are less studied, so a blank area does not mean the species is absent.

Countries
Hungary · Romania · Ukraine · Slovakia · Poland · Austria · Czechia
Mountain ranges
Bükk, High Tatras, Börzsöny and Cserhát, Zemplén Mountains, Mátra, Piatra Craiului, Maramureș Mountains, Nemira and Bodoc Mountains, Bihor-Vlădeasa Mountains, Vrancea Mountains
Altitude belts
Foothills (below 600 m) · Beech forests (600–1200 m)

When to see it

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Sightings

From naturalists’ observations in the Carpathians (iNaturalist, research grade): the darker the cell, the more often the species is seen that month.

Protection and rules

Not listed in the Red Book of Ukraine.

FAQ

Why can the Map butterfly be reddish and black?

These are seasonal forms of the same species. The spring generation is reddish, the summer is black with a white band; the coloration is determined by the length of the day during which the caterpillar grew.

Where to look for the Map butterfly?

In moist forest edges, clearings, and along streams where nettle grows — the food plant for the caterpillars.

Similar species

CommaCommaPolygonia c-albumA reddish butterfly with deeply notched wings and a white letter 'C' on the underside. Common in the edges of forests and along forest roads in the Carpathians.
Small tortoiseshellSmall tortoiseshellAglais urticaeA reddish butterfly with black and yellow spots and blue dots along the edges of its wings. It flies from villages to polonynas and hibernates in attics.
Stinging nettleStinging nettleUrtica dioicaTall stinging herb near kolibas, pastures, and streams. Young leaves have long been used in borscht, and touching the stem causes a sting that lasts for several hours.

Where to meet it

Trails

Bilyn village – Perelisok shelterModerateOne-dayMarkedBilyn village Perelisok shelterElevation profile509–1 279 m6.5 kmascent 770 m≈ 3 h walkingMezhyriky – Vivchyna polonynaEasyOne-dayMarkedMezhyriky Vivchyna polonynaElevation profile854–1 048 m3.3 kmascent 193 m≈ 1 h walkingBilyn village, via Mount Blyznytsia and Mount Stih to DragobratHard1–2 daysBilyn village to Dragobratvia Mount Blyznytsia, Mount StihElevation profile498–1 785 m26.5 kmascent 1 717 m≈ 9.5 h walkingNimchych Pass – Protiate KaminniaModerateOne-dayMarkedNimchych Pass Protiate KaminniaElevation profile477–834 m20.9 kmascent 577 m≈ 6 h walkingSitnyi – Menchul (Kvasy village)EasyOne-dayMarkedSitnyi Menchul (Kvasy village)Elevation profile509–1 216 m4.8 kmascent 707 m≈ 2.5 h walkingKamianka tract – Mount Berdo – Bilky villageModerateOne-dayMarkedKamianka tract Bilky villagevia Mount BerdoElevation profile150–928 m16 kmascent 565 m≈ 5 h walking
Osii village – Mount BerdoModerateOne-dayMarkedOsii village Mount BerdoElevation profile257–928 m8.5 kmascent 678 m≈ 3.5 h walkingSmuharski WaterfallsEasyOne-dayMarkedSmuharski WaterfallsElevation profile398–488 m4 km≈ 1 h walkingMount Hostra – PrelukyModerateOne-dayMarkedMount Hostra PrelukyElevation profile660–1 405 m19.4 kmascent 1 038 m≈ 6.5 h walkingTuria Poliana village – Voievodyn Waterfall – Turia Poliana villageModerateOne-dayTuria Poliana village loopvia Voievodyn WaterfallElevation profile471–979 m14.3 kmascent 506 m≈ 4.5 h walkingTuria Poliana village – Voievodyn WaterfallEasyOne-dayTuria Poliana village Voievodyn WaterfallElevation profile431–878 m7 kmascent 447 m≈ 2.5 h walkingShybene village, via Mount Stih, Mount Reheska and Mount Kopylash to Shybene villageHard1–2 daysShybene village loopvia Mount Stih, Mount Reheska +1Elevation profile847–1 571 m32.2 kmascent 897 m≈ 9.5 h walking

Waters and waterfalls

Tysa River (Tisza)RiverTysa River (Tisza)RakhivThe Tysa (Tisza) is the main river of Zakarpattia. It begins on the north-eastern edge of Rakhiv, where the Chorna...Mikva waterfallWaterfallMikva waterfallVyzhenkaThe Mykva Waterfall is a small but very picturesque waterfall located in the village of Vyzhenka, Chernivtsi region.Vyzhenka RiverRiverVyzhenka RiverVyzhenkaTheriver Vyzhenka is located in the village of the same name in the Chernivtsi region.

Mountain ranges: Maramureș Mountains, Pokuttia-Bukovina Carpathians. In other countries: 🇭🇺 Bükk, 🇸🇰 High Tatras, 🇭🇺 Börzsöny and Cserhát, 🇭🇺 Zemplén Mountains, 🇭🇺 Mátra, 🇷🇴 Piatra Craiului, 🇷🇴 Nemira and Bodoc Mountains, 🇷🇴 Bihor-Vlădeasa Mountains, 🇷🇴 Vrancea Mountains, 🇸🇰 Slovak Ore Mountains, 🇷🇴 Bistrița Mountains, 🇷🇴 Hășmaș Mountains

Trails and peaks near which naturalists recorded the species (GBIF, iNaturalist), matched by altitude and habitat. Sightings are not guaranteed.

Sources

GBIF · iNaturalist · Wikidata · Distribution data: GBIF.org (CC0 and CC BY records), iNaturalist; names and identifiers: Wikidata (CC0). Text: Karpaty.rocks, checked 11.11.2026.