Keferstein, 1851
Meadow Fritillary
Description:
The Meadow Fritillary occurs in both dry and moderately damp habitats in many sorts of open, grassy, flower-rich places near woodland. Plantains (Plantago spp.) are the main food plants, especially Ribwort Plantain (P. lanceolata).
The eggs are laid in clusters on the underside of the leaves. The caterpillars feed and hibernate communally in a silken shelter, only separating in the last larval instar. They then look for a safe place to pupate, low down on the food plant.
The Meadow Fritillary usually has two generations a year, but only one in cool breeding grounds.
Habitat:
Alpine grasslands
Dry siliceous grasslands
Dry calcareous grasslands
Mesophile grasslands
Similar species:
Melitaea varia
Melitaea athalia
Melitaea britomartis
Melitaea aurelia