Heath Fritillary
Melitaea athalia
The upperside is ochre with a dark, lattice-like pattern, while the underside of the hindwings shows alternating pale and orange-brown bands. As colour and markings vary greatly, the species can often be separated reliably from closely related fritillaries only by microscopic examination.
- Group
- Brush-footed Butterflies
- Photos
- 5
- Taken
- 2020–2022
Profile: Heath Fritillary
- Family
- Brush-footed butterflies (Nymphalidae)
- Wingspan
- approx. 35–40 mm
- Habitat
- A wide range of flower-rich open habitats: woodland edges and rides, clearings, heaths, semi-dry grassland on scrubby slopes and damp meadows at the edges of bogs.
- Diet
- The caterpillars feed mainly on common cow-wheat, eyebright and ribwort plantain, also on speedwell; adults take nectar from plants such as marsh thistle, knapweed, marjoram and thyme.
- When to see
- Usually one generation from May to August; in favourable years a partial second generation follows from mid-August to September.
Learn more: Wikipedia