Once upon a time, there was a butterfly, a flower and an ant...

In this combe, there are several hundreds of Star Gentian plants - a vulnerable plant in Franche-Comté. This plant is home to a protected species of butterfly, the preservation of which is considered a priority: the mountain Alcon blue.
This butterfly’s ecology is remarkable. The caterpillar develops in the Star Gentian’s inflorescences, and sometimes in those of the great yellow gentian. After eating the follower, it falls to the ground, where it is cared for by a specific species of ant, which carries it back to its anthill where it will spend the autumn, winter and spring with shelter and food. During this time, the caterpillar releases a smell that tricks the ants, protecting it from any attacks and convincing the little workers to feed it. Butterflies emerge at the end of the spring and must quickly leave the anthill.