Nymphalidae: Nymphalinae

07270 Glanville Fritillary Melitaea cinxia, (Linnaeus, 1758)

BF1612 (ABH59.034)

Dobrostan, Western Rhodopi Mtns., 19th June 2010, male.
Dobrostan, Western Rhodopi Mtns., 19th June 2010, male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Dobrostan, Western Rhodopi Mtns., 19th June 2010, male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
 2010-2016
 2017
 2018
 2019
Dobrostan, Western Rhodopi Mtns., 30th June 2012, female.
Dobrostan, Western Rhodopi Mtns., 30th June 2012, female.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Zabardo, Western Rhodopi Mountains, 22nd June 2015. Male, 1 of 2.
Zabardo, Western Rhodopi Mountains, 22nd June 2015. Male, 1 of 2.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Zabardo, Western Rhodopi Mountains, 22nd June 2015. Male, 2 of 2.
Zabardo, Western Rhodopi Mountains, 22nd June 2015. Male, 2 of 2.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Dobrostan, Western Rhodopi Mtns., 27th May 2018, male.
Dobrostan, Western Rhodopi Mtns., 27th May 2018, male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Strandzha, SE Bulgaria. 13th May 2019. Female.
Strandzha, SE Bulgaria. 13th May 2019. Female.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Strandzha, SE Bulgaria. 13th May 2019. Female.
Strandzha, SE Bulgaria. 13th May 2019. Female.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
N. Greece. 13th May 2015. Female.
N. Greece. 13th May 2015. Female.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Some ID features to separate Glanville ad Freyer's Fritillaries
Some ID features to separate Glanville ad Freyer's Fritillaries
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
near Stara Kresna, 12th May 2014.
near Stara Kresna, 12th May 2014.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Kresna Gorge, 12th May 2014.
Kresna Gorge, 12th May 2014.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Kresna Gorge, 12th May 2014.
Kresna Gorge, 12th May 2014.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies


General Information

A common and widespread spring and early summer butterfly in Bulgaria. By July few are still flying and those that are are usually worn and tatty.

Full-grown caterpillars may still be found in early May.

This is one of only two species of fritillary in Bulgaria, the other being Freyer's Fritillary (M. arduinna), that has a row of distinctive black spots in the post discal area of the upper hindwing, mirrored in the post-discal orange band on the underside of the hindwing. Freyer's Fritillary is larger, a brighter orange and has a much more restricted range in Bulgaria (see that species).

Overwinters as Overwinters as a larva.

Flying: Flies from late April to mid July, but mainly in May and June.

Habitat

This is a meadow butterfly, most frequently found in open flowery grassy meadows, but also in glades amongst deciduous woodland and scrub.

We have found it from sea-level to over 1600 masl, with occasional specimens found at over 2000 masl.

Regional Information

Recorded in 58 (3.1%) of the 1900 10km squares of Bulgaria.

Last recorded in June 2019

Recorded date range (Adult): 05 May to 14 July

Similar Species
Western Stara Planina, 5th July 2014, male.
Western Stara Planina, 5th July 2014, male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Freyer's Fritillary Melitaea arduinna