Valais, Switzerland, July 2012

Valais, Switzerland, June 2007

Field notes and information

Often treated as a separate species, the alpine fritillary, E. glaciegenita or as a high altitude form, possibly a subspecies, of the marsh fritillary, E. aurinia debilis.

Identification & Similar species: The high altitude form is distinctive. Forms intermediate with E. aurinia aurinia are said to exist, although I've never found them despite living in the Alps for 10 years. I have found both taxa flying very close to each other at one place in Valais, Switzerland at 2000m. The damp grassy meadow had E. aurinia aurinia and just 500m away a dry flowery meadow had debilis/ glaciegenita.

Distribution & Flight: It flies at high altitudes in the Pyrenees and Alps. Single brooded from late June to August.

Habitat & Behaviour: Flies fast and low over flowery or grassy meadows, with stones/ rocks or damp places.

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