Knapweed Fritillary (Melitaea phoebe) | Species | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Male. Taken in the Velebits National Park, Croatia, on June 11th 2017. (1/80th sec at f14. © David Hastings)  Male underside. Taken in the Velebits National Park, Croatia, on June 11th 2017. (1/80th sec at f14. © David Hastings)  Mating pair. Taken in Bulgaria on June 20th 2015. (1/160th sec at f14. © David Hastings) DescriptionFamily: Heliconiinae Wing span: 35 - 40 mm The Knapweed Fritillary is a warmth-loving butterfly prone to confusing variability. The upper surface of the hindwing has a well-defined orange band and no black spots. The sexes are similar. It is widespread and common in S and C Europe, but largely absent from NW Europe. Many populations are in decline. It is found in sheltered dry meadows, scrub and light woodland up to 1900m. It mostly has two broods per year, the first from April to June, and the second from July to September. The larvae feed on a wide range of Knapweeds (Centaurea spp). Sightings
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