Valais, Switzerland, May 2021
Valais, Switzerland, June 2012
Ssp. berisalii.
Field notes and information
Presents significant identification problems. It is generally brighter than the heath fritillary
Identification & Similar species: Separation from some similar species can be very difficult and even impossible for many individuals. However study of genetalia on living male butterflies is possible and gives definitive results. See the
Heath fritillary, M. athaliafor features that may help separate this and other similar species.
Distribution & Flight: Sporadic from south Switzerland, through southern France, Iberian peninsula and northwest Africa. Flies in one or two broods depending on location.
Habitat & Behaviour: Hot dry slopes, often with scrub, light woodland, vineyards etc.
Variation: Highly variable in size, colouration and extent and detail of black markings.
Subspecies M. deione berisalii flies in parts of Valais, Switzerland. Berisal is a very small village on the Simplon Pass. It is unlikely that this species has ever flown there as the habitat is not found there. The collectors of the 19th centuary would pass by the populations of this species in Valais on their way to the famous collecting areas of the Simplon pass. It seems likely that at some point there was a mix up and Berisal was incorrectly recorded as the collecting site.
Valais, Switzerland, June 2012
Ssp. berisalii.
Valais, Switzerland, June 2017
Catalonia, Spain, May 2007
Valais, Switzerland, June 2022
Valais, Switzerland, June 2022
Valais, Switzerland, June 2022
Valais, Switzerland, June 2022
Valais, Switzerland, June 2022
Valais, Switzerland, June 2013
Valais, Switzerland, June 2017
Valais, Switzerland, June 2013
Valais, Switzerland, June 2012
Ssp. berisalii.
Valais, Switzerland, June 2012
Valais, Switzerland, July 2006
Larval web.
Alpes Maritimes, France, May 2012
Valais, Switzerland, June 2006
Ssp. berisalii.
Valais, Switzerland, May 2007
Valais, Switzerland, June 2005
Valais, Switzerland, June 2009
Ssp. berisalii.
Valais, Switzerland, June 2017
Valais, Switzerland, May 2007
Ssp. berisalii.
Valais, Switzerland, June 2006
Ssp. berisalii.
Pyrenees, N Spain, August 2003
Var, France, May 2005
Valais, Switzerland, June 2005
Valais, Switzerland, June 2022
Valais, Switzerland, June 2022