Freyer, 1828
Little Fritillary
Description:
This tiny, rather dark fritillary, with its faded markings, always looks as though it has been worn by much flying. The Little Fritillary occurs above the tree-line on alpine meadows with a short vegetation. They have a rapid, zigzagging flight.
The female lays her eggs in clusters on the leaves of Alpine Plantain (Plantago alpina). Because the breeding grounds are at such high altitudes and the growing season is so short, the caterpillars take nearly two years to develop and are more numerous in some years than others.
Habitat:
Alpine grasslands
Similar species:
Unmistakable