SCIENTIFIC NAME: MELITAEA CINXIA
VERNACULAR NAME: GLANVILLE FRITILLARY

Fig 1
ADULT Wingspan 38 - 52mm. All upper wing surfaces are typically fritillary like with a network of black crosslines and markings on a orangey background. The undersides of the forewings are primarily light orange with a nice black and white chequered edging. The undersides of the hindwings have alternate white and orange strips of areas with black central markings in most of these.
CHRYSALIS Starting brownish becoming darker with various orange spots. Found hanging from foodplant.
LARVA Chestnut coloured head and rear with a black body banded with patches of white spots. Located on Ribwort Plantain.
EGG Small and bright yellow located on the leaves of Ribwort Plantain.
BEHAVIOUR A sun loving butterfly that lives in colonies and is quite happy to bask for long periods until disturbed.
HABITAT South facing chalk downland and eroding cliffs where Ribwort Plantain is abundant.
FLIGHT PERIOD Late May to Early July.

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