Assmann's Fritillary
Common NameAssmann's Fritillary
Scientific NameMelitaea assmanni
FamilyNymphalidae
SubfamilyNymphalinae
Wingspan (mm)36
Primary Colorsorange, dark brown, black
HabitatSteppe grasslands, dry meadows, forest edges, open woodlands
Geographic RangeEastern Europe (e.g., Ukraine, Russia) and parts of Asia (e.g., Kazakhstan, Siberia, Mongolia, China)
Host PlantsPlantago lanceolata, Plantago media, Veronica
Flight PeriodMay to July
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusvulnerable
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid in clusters on host plants. Larvae are gregarious, feeding on leaves, and overwinter in a silken web. Pupation occurs in spring, leading to adult emergence.
Identification TipsDistinguished by its clear, somewhat regular checkered pattern of orange and dark brown/black on the upperside. The antennae have distinct orange clubs.
Description
A medium-sized butterfly with a distinctive checkered pattern of bright orange and dark brown/black markings on both forewings and hindwings, with a dark body and antennae tipped with orange.
