Species account

Østlig Takvinge (Nymphalis xanthomelas)    Denis & Schiffermüller (1775)
   Takvinger (Nymphalidae)    YLTO    24876
Yellow-legged Tortoiseshell (gb)   Videfuks (se)  
Measurements:
WS: 60-72mm
Generations:
1
Flight period:
JFMAMJJASOND 
SE
Identification:
+ more serrated wing edge than xanthomelas
- the two inner black spots on the upper forewing are more often separated than on polychloros.
- all the other field characters...
Similar species:
Life stages:
Distribution:
E Europe, Turkey, C Asia, China, Korea and Japan.
Habitat:
Behavior:
Status:
Rare in Denmark and rest of Scandinavia. Depends on influx from east.
Comment:
In Denmark/Sweden wintering animals fly from February to mid June with peak last half of April. A new generation starts flying from July into first half of August.
Yellow-legged Tortoiseshell 908    (5 photos)
2015-05-01    Kalvebod Fælled, Denmark

Imago
Pinseskoven.
Rare visitor from east and southeast. In 2014 and 2015 quite a few were spotted, mostly in the eastern part of the country.

I'm not sure if it is possible to sex this worn individual. Males are supposed to be smaller and have smaller spots and narrower dark marginal border, but with nothing to compare to, I don't know.




Yellow-legged Tortoiseshell 1290    (2 photos)
2023-04-09    Näsby Fält (Kristianstad), Sweden

Imago
Afternoon on a very sunny day.



Yellow-legged Tortoiseshell 1291    (3 photos)
2023-04-09    Näsby Fält (Kristianstad), Sweden

Imago
Afternoon on a very sunny day. This animal suddenly came in and chased away the Large Tortoiseshell we were admiring right there on the trunk.



Yellow-legged Tortoiseshell 1292    (2 photos)
2023-04-09    Näsby Fält (Kristianstad), Sweden

Imago
Afternoon on a very sunny day. Most of the butterflies today were worn, but this one looks rather fresh except for the obvious missing part of the right hindwing.



Yellow-legged Tortoiseshell 1293    (2 photos)
2023-04-09    Näsby Fält (Kristianstad), Sweden

Imago
Afternoon on a very sunny day. Gunshot hole or...



Yellow-legged Tortoiseshell 1294    (5 photos)
2023-04-09    Venestad (Skåne), Sweden

Imago
The first animal of 5 that we found this day in NE Scania.