Knapweed Fritillary

Melitaea phoebe

Val d'Aran, July 2005

Val d'Aran, July 2005 - on knapweed

Switzerland 2004

Val d'Aran, July 1999

This is a fritillary of hot places where knapweed grows. It is large compared to most Mellicta/Melitaea species and also rather bright and colourful, meaning that it is really quite easy to identify. However, not all are as distinctive as the insects on this page - sometimes, especially further north, they can be smaller and even have black spots in the postdiscal row on the hindwing, like a Glanville fritillary. In all forms, the single large, inwardly displaced submarginal lunule on the forewing is a useful diagnostic sign.