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Mellicta parthenoides

Meadow Fritillary

Field Notes

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Vaud, Switzerland, June 2004

 

Vaud, Switzerland, June 2004
 

Vaud, Switzerland, June 2004

This appears to be a melanic example - it was found in a small area that has an exceptional number of melanic butterflies.

 
This is a widespread and often common butterfly of western Europe. It flies with many of the other Mellicta species in the region. On the upperside it is generally a more lightly marked butterfly than the Heath Fritillary, M. athalia, and Nickerl's Fritillary, M. aurelia but does resemble more closely the Provençal Fritillary, M. deione. A very useful distinguishing mark is found on the upperside forewing in the discal area of space 2. The line between the veins is oblique relative to the edge of the wing - in the other similar species this is perpendicular. This coupled with completely orange discal areas on the hindwing (in the other species there is a black line) usually suffice for identification.

It inhabits flowery meadows from low to moderate levels and in places in the Alpes my be found quite high.

 

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