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.