![Photo: napaea19.jpg](../pics/n/napaea19.jpg)
Berne, Switzerland, August 2012
![Photo: napaea11.jpg](../pics/n/napaea11.jpg)
Valais, Switzerland, July 2006
Field notes and information
A mountain species from a small part of the eastern Pyrenees, the Alps and Scandinavia.
Identification & Similar species: One of a group of 4 very similar species. Differences as follows:
Shepherd's fritillary, pales: northwest Spain, Pyrenees, Alps, east Europe, Balkans. Underside forewing lacking black spots. Broad upperside forewing lines. Relatively small.
Mountain fritillary, napaea: Pyrenees, Alps, Scandinavia. Underside forewing lacking black spots. Fine upperside forewing lines. Relatively large. Females often with dark dusky purple sheen.
Cranberry fritillary, aquilonaris: northern Alps to Scandinavia and eastwards. Underside forewing with black spots.
Balkan fritillary, graeca: southern Alps (France), Balkans. Underside forewing with black spots.
Flight: Single brooded in July and August.
Habitat & Behaviour: Open alpine meadows. Usually flowery, often associated with damp areas. Flies very low and fast.
Variation: Females often have a distinctive violet flush.
![Photo: napaea25.jpg](../pics/n/napaea25.jpg)
Tessin, Switzerland, August 2013
Purple sheen on the female.
![Photo: napaea36.jpg](../pics/n/napaea36.jpg)
![Photo: napaea35.jpg](../pics/n/napaea35.jpg)
N Sweden, July 2022
![Photo: napaea37.jpg](../pics/n/napaea37.jpg)
N Norway, July 2022
The end of Europe, the orange butterfly at the bottom right of the photo is the furthest north possible on mainland Europe at Nordkapp.
![Photo: napaea30.jpg](../pics/n/napaea30.jpg)
Valais, Switzerland, July 2019
![Photo: napaea31.jpg](../pics/n/napaea31.jpg)
![Photo: napaea34.jpg](../pics/n/napaea34.jpg)
![Photo: napaea32.jpg](../pics/n/napaea32.jpg)
Valais, Switzerland, July 2020
![Photo: napaea29.jpg](../pics/n/napaea29.jpg)
Valais, Switzerland, July 2019
![Photo: napaea33.jpg](../pics/n/napaea33.jpg)
Valais, Switzerland, July 2021
![Photo: napaea24.jpg](../pics/n/napaea24.jpg)
Tessin, Switzerland, August 2013
![Photo: napaea22.jpg](../pics/n/napaea22.jpg)
![Photo: napaea23.jpg](../pics/n/napaea23.jpg)
Grisons, Switzerland, July 2013
![Photo: napaea3.jpg](../pics/n/napaea3.jpg)
Valais, Switzerland, July 2006
![Photo: napaea26.jpg](../pics/n/napaea26.jpg)
Hautes-Pyrénées, France, July 2018
![Photo: napaea7.jpg](../pics/n/napaea7.jpg)
![Photo: napaea8.jpg](../pics/n/napaea8.jpg)
![Photo: napaea5.jpg](../pics/n/napaea5.jpg)
Valais, Switzerland, July 2006
![Photo: napaea13.jpg](../pics/n/napaea13.jpg)
![Photo: napaea9.jpg](../pics/n/napaea9.jpg)
![Photo: napaea10.jpg](../pics/n/napaea10.jpg)
Valais, Switzerland, July 2006