Provençal Fritillary
Common NameProvençal Fritillary
Scientific NameMelitaea deione
FamilyNymphalidae
SubfamilyNymphalinae
Wingspan (mm)36
Primary Colorsorange, black
HabitatDry grassy slopes, scrubland, open woodland clearings, often on calcareous soils.
Geographic RangeSouthern Europe (France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Switzerland, Austria) and parts of North Africa.
Host PlantsPlantago lanceolata, Plantago, Veronica
Flight PeriodMay to August
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid in batches on host plants. Larvae are dark with spines, overwinter in groups, and feed on plantain leaves before pupating in spring.
Identification TipsDistinguished by its specific orange and black checkered pattern, particularly the arrangement of black markings on the upperwings and the distinctive pattern of orange and cream bands with black lines on the underside hindwing.
Description
A medium-sized butterfly with vibrant orange upperwings heavily marked with a black checkered pattern, featuring a dark marginal line and white fringe.
