High Brown Fritillary
Key facts
- Latin name
- Fabriciana adippe
- Family
- Nymphalidae
- Wingspan
- 48-65 mm
- Flight season
- June — August
- Host plants
- Wild pansy, Marsh violet
- Conservation status
- LC
Appearance
The high brown fritillary (Fabriciana adippe) is a large butterfly with a wingspan of 48–65 mm. The upper side of the wings is bright orange with a black speckled pattern typical of fritillaries.
The defining mark — the underside of the hindwings: greenish-reddish with silvery spots that have a darker reddish or brown border. In this respect Adippe differs from the silver-washed fritillary, where the silvery spots lack a pronounced rim.
Range and Habitat
Adippe is distributed in the forest and forest-steppe zones of Europe and Asia. In Russia it occurs in the European part and in Siberia.
It lives on forest edges, glades, and meadows with violets. It prefers warm sunny slopes.
Life Cycle
One generation per year. Flight from June through August.
Eggs are laid on violets or at their base. A young caterpillar overwinters without feeding. In spring the caterpillar feeds on violets; the pupa is suspended and brownish.
Telling Similar Species Apart
Adippe, the silver-washed fritillary, and Aglaia often fly together on the same edges. For identification it is important to examine the underside of the hindwings — the pattern of silvery spots is unique in each species. See the article key by wing colour for help with identification.