Nickerl's Fritillary
Key facts
- Latin name
- Melitaea aurelia
- Family
- Nymphalidae
- Wingspan
- 26-36 mm
- Flight season
- June — August
- Host plants
- Ribwort plantain, Rattle
- Conservation status
- LC
Appearance
Nickerl's fritillary (Melitaea aurelia) is a small butterfly with a wingspan of 26–36 mm. It is one of the smallest fritillaries in Europe. The upper side of the wings is reddish orange with a black checkered pattern.
For reliable identification examine the underside of the hindwings: here there is a light medial band and a row of dark dots in the marginal spots.
Range and Habitat
It is distributed in Europe and western Asia. In Russia it occurs in the European part.
It lives on dry and semi-dry meadows, forest edges, and hill slopes. It prefers well-warmed open habitats with varied herbs.
Life Cycle
One generation per year. Flight from June through August.
Eggs are laid in clusters on the underside of plantain leaves. Caterpillars overwinter in a group. The pupa is on the ground among plant debris.
Ecology
Aurelia, like other meadow fritillaries, suffers from intensive haymaking and grazing during the flight period. The best populations persist on undisturbed dry meadows and forest-steppe slopes.