(Hübner, 1826)
Aetherie Fritillary
Description:
In Spain, the Aetherie Fritillary is found in clearings in disturbed Holm Oak (Quercus ilex) woodlands, where its food plants, thistles (Cirsium spp.) and knapweeds (Centaurea spp.), such as Star Thistle (Centaurea calcitrapa), Brown Knapweed (C. jacea), and C. carratracensis grow. In Sicily, it is found in open, warm, dry places whith Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus), which is probably the food plant here.
The female lays her eggs in batches on the food plants. The Aetherie Fritillary has one brood a year, and hibernates as a caterpillar.
The subspecies that occurs on Sicily may have two broods a year.
Habitat:
Evergreen woodland
Similar species:
Melitaea phoebe