(Linnaeus, 1758)
Glanville Fritillary
Description:
The Glanville Fritillary is found on many different types of flower-rich grasslands, both on calcareous and acid soils. This butterfly can survive on meadows and pastures, as well as on road verges and forgotten patches of vegetation, sometimes small habitats supporting large populations. Various plantains (Plantago spp.), speedwells (Veronica spp,), and knapweeds (Centaurea spp.) are used as food plants.
The eggs are laid in large batches on the underside of the leaves. The caterpillars live gregariously in a spun nest, also hibernating in a thicker one when half-grown. In the spring, a small proportion of the caterpillars develop quickly, going on to produce a partial, second brood. The remaining caterpillars develop more slowly.
Thus, the Glanville Fritillary, usually has one generation a year, and in favourable locations, a partial second generation.
Habitat:
Dry siliceous grasslands
Dry calcareous grasslands
Mesophile grasslands
Similar species:
Melitaea arduinna