Spotted Fritillary
Common NameSpotted Fritillary
Scientific NameMelitaea didyma
FamilyNymphalidae
SubfamilyNymphalinae
Wingspan (mm)40
Primary Colorsorange, black, brown
HabitatDry grasslands, meadows, open woodlands, scrubland
Geographic RangeEurope, North Africa, temperate Asia
Host PlantsPlantago spp. (plantains), Veronica spp. (speedwells), Linaria spp. (toadflaxes)
Flight PeriodMay to September
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesFemales lay batches of eggs on host plants; larvae are gregarious, feeding on leaves, and overwinter as partially grown caterpillars before pupating in spring.
Identification TipsLook for the distinctive orange and black checkered pattern across both forewings and hindwings, and the presence of small, white-pupiled eyespots on the hindwing underside (though not clearly visible in this dorsal view).
Description
A medium-sized butterfly with a vibrant checkered pattern of orange-yellow and dark brown to black on its wings, often featuring small, ringed eyespots on the hindwings.
