Most fritillaries occur on grasslands, rough vegetation, and along woodland edges and hedges.
The uppersides of the wings are orange, flecked with dark brown. However, to identify the species, it is usually necessary to look at the pattern on the underside of the hindwing.
(A. aglaja 4)

There are a some species that look so much alike that even those who know a lot about butterflies find it difficult to distinguish them. Furthermore, the differences are often so subtle, that some worn specimens are impossible to name with certainty. (016.MOV, Argynnis paphia, male).
The caterpillars usually have spines, and sometimes tubercles.
The caterpillars of some of the fritillaries live in a communal spun nest.

Examples:
Dark Green Fritillary (Argynnis aglaja),
Queen of Spain Fritillary (Issoria lathonia),
Heath Fritillary (Melitaea athalia),
Pearl-bordered Fritillary (Boloria euphrosyne),
Lesser Marbled Fritillary (Brenthis ino).