| Melitaea parthenoides | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Nymphalidae |
| Genus: | Melitaea |
| Species: | M. parthenoides |
| Binomial name | |
| Melitaea parthenoides Keferstein, 1851 |
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| Synonyms | |
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The Meadow Fritillary (Melitaea parthenoides) is a butterfly of the Nymphalidae family. Note that the common name Meadow Fritillary, is also used for the North American species Boloria bellona. It is found in south-western Europe, more specifically on the Iberian Peninsula, south-western France, parts of the italian Alps and southern and south-western Germany and a few regions of Switzerland.
The wingspan is 28-34 mm. In dry, favourable climates, adults are on wing in two generations, from May to June and from August to September. On high altitudes, there is one generation from June to July.
The larvae feed on Plantago species, but mainly Plantago lanceolata.