Spotted Fritillary (Melitaea didyma) | Species | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Male of f. meriodionalis. Taken at Velebits NP, Croatia, on June 10th 2017. (1/320th sec at f16. © David Hastings) Male underside. Taken in the Vercors Natural Park, France, on July 23rd 2018. (1/320th sec st f15. © David Hastings) Female of f. meriodionalis. Taken at Paklenica NP, Croatia, on June 9th 2017. (1/1600th sec at f13. © David Hastings) Female underside. Taken in the Velebits National Park, Croatia, on June 11th 2017. (1/640th sec at f14. © David Hastings) DescriptionFamily: Heliconiinae Wing span: 35 - 50mm Several forms of this butterfly have been identified in recognition of considerable individual, local and geographical variation. The male of form meriodionalis has fiery-red upper surfaces with few hindwind spots. The female has grey on her forewings. The Spotted Fritillary is widely distributed in central and southern Europe, north Africa, the Middle East and Mediterranean islands. It can be found in a wide variety of habitats, for example dry, flowery places; woodland or scrub clearings; meadow; dry rocky gullies; marginal areas of cultivation. This species is bi- or tri-voltine. In Europe, adults are on the wing from mid-April to September. The larva is the over-wintering stage. The larvae feed on various plants, including Linaria, Plantago lanceolata, Veronica, Centaurea jacea and Digitalis purpurea. Sightings
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