Niobe fritillary
Common NameNiobe fritillary
Scientific NameFabriciana niobe
FamilyNymphalidae
SubfamilyHeliconiinae
Wingspan (mm)55
Wing Patternspotted
Primary Colorsorange, brown, cream, black
HabitatMeadows, grasslands, forest clearings, dry slopes
Geographic RangeEurope, temperate Asia
Host PlantsViola spp.
Flight PeriodJune to August
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on or near violet host plants. Larvae hatch and overwinter, feeding on violet leaves in spring before pupating close to the ground.
Identification TipsDistinguished from similar fritillaries by the specific pattern of the underside hindwing, which features pale cream/greenish-white and orange-brown patches with pale spots, sometimes lacking the prominent silver spots found in other species.
Description
A medium-sized fritillary butterfly with an orange-brown upperside marked with black spots. The underside of the hindwing, as seen, is a mosaic of pale cream/greenish-white and orange-brown patches, outlined in black, with distinct pale spots.
