Fritillary
Melitaea
The genus comprises several very similar species with an orange-and-black chequered upperside, which can often only be separated by the hindwing underside and sometimes only by examining the genitalia. The young caterpillars usually live gregariously in silk webs and overwinter as larvae.
- Group
- Brush-footed Butterflies
- Photos
- 2
- Taken
- 2022
Profile: Fritillary
- Family
- Brush-footed butterflies (Nymphalidae)
- Wingspan
- approx. 30–50 mm
- Habitat
- Depending on the species, dry grassland, wet meadows, open woodland and forest edges.
- Diet
- Depending on the species, caterpillars feed on plants such as plantains, speedwells, knapweeds or cow-wheat; adults take nectar from many meadow flowers.
- When to see
- Depending on the species, flies from about May to September in one or two generations.
Learn more: Wikipedia