This species is widespread in Europe and is similar in appearance to many other fritillaries, especially the Marbled Fritillary. It can be separated by looking at the underside hindwing; which in the current species  has a central yellow patch which is brownish-purple in the Marbled Fritillary. It is slightly smaller in size and the upperside of the male in particular has more ‘delicate’ black markings. It was fairly abundant in the Pyrenees in flowery meadows close to woodland.

Distribution: Much of Europe, from N Spain eastwards through central Europe to North Macedonia in the south and N Finland in the north. An isolated population exists in S Italy. Absent from Britain, Ireland and most of the Mediterranean.

Flight Period: June-August in 1 brood.

Habitat: Primarily damp areas, such as bogland margins, riversides, damp meadows, flowery marshes and sometimes drier hilly areas at a variety of altitudes.

Foodplants: Mainly Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) but also Great Burnet (Sanguisorba officinalis), Cloudberry (Rubus chamaemorus) and Raspberry (Rubus idaeus).

Nectar Sources: Allium, scabiouses (Knautia), knapweeds (Centaurea), Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), crane’s-bills (Geranium).

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