Glanville Fritillary
Common NameGlanville Fritillary
Scientific NameMelitaea cinxia
FamilyNymphalidae
SubfamilyNymphalinae
Wingspan (mm)40
Primary Colorsorange, black, white
HabitatDry grasslands, heathland, coastal cliffs, open woodland clearings
Geographic RangeEurope, North Africa, temperate Asia
Host PlantsPlantago lanceolata, Veronica chamaedrys
Flight PeriodMay to July
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid in batches on host plants. Larvae are gregarious, living in silken webs, and overwinter as small caterpillars before completing development in spring.
Identification TipsDistinguished by its intricate checkered pattern of orange, black, and white, particularly on the underside of the hindwings, and its relatively small size for a fritillary.
Description
A medium-sized butterfly with a distinctive checkered pattern of orange, black, and creamy white on its wings, and a hairy body.
