Fritillaries - Melitaea
Eight species are placed in the genus Melitaea. The Glanville, Knapweed and Spotted are the most widespread of these, and therefore most likely to be seen. It is relatively easy to separate these three.
| Not pictured.
Barred upperside pattern, row of postdiscal black spots on upperside. |
Not pictured.
Far SE of Europe. Similar to cinxia. |
As cinxia, with no postdiscal spots. |
Not pictured
Southern Spain / Portugal only. Bright red, with incomplete markings. |
| Melitaea cinxia
Glanville Fritillary |
Melitaea arduinna
Freyer's Fritillary |
Melitaea phoebe
Knapweed Fritillary |
Melitaea aetherie
Aetherie Fritillary |
Male upperside
Female upperside
Underside showing round marginal spots |
Not pictured North Africa only As didyma. Antennal club black (tipped orange in didyma, body sandy coloured. (white in didyma) |
Not pictured
Underside hindwing marginal spots usually triangular. (round in didyma) |
Very dark, although light subspecies do occur. |
| Melitaea didyma
Spotted Fritillary |
Melitaea deserticola
Desert Fritillary |
Melitaea trivia
Lesser Spotted Fritillary |
Melitaea diamina
False Heath Fritillary |
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