a role. Males set up small territories and actively seek out a mate. Copulation lasts about an hour, during which the butterflies remain stationary with their wings closed. Females lay between 100 and 200 eggs, usually in the shade or at random by ejecting eggs into the air. Initially, larvae are yellow, but soon develop brown patches and continue to darken as they develop within the egg. Eggs hatch after about 14 days. References External links Satyrinae of the Western Palearctic Pyronia Butterflies of Europe Butterflies described in 1758 Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus