Nymphalidae: Nymphalinae

07271 Knapweed Fritillary Melitaea phoebe, ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)

BF -- (ABH59.000)

near Haskovo, east of Plovdiv, 4th June 2011, male.
near Haskovo, east of Plovdiv, 4th June 2011, male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
near Haskovo, east of Plovdiv, 4th June 2011, male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
 2010-2016
 2017
 2018
 2019
Oreshari, Arda Valley, Eastern Rhodopis, 7th July 2011. Male.
Oreshari, Arda Valley, Eastern Rhodopis, 7th July 2011. Male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Samakov-Borovets. 14th July 2014. Male. 1 of 2.
Samakov-Borovets. 14th July 2014. Male. 1 of 2.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Samakov-Borovets. 14th July 2014. Male. 2 of 2.
Samakov-Borovets. 14th July 2014. Male. 2 of 2.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Dobrostan, Western Rhodopi Mtns., 4th July 2006, Female. 1 of 2.
Dobrostan, Western Rhodopi Mtns., 4th July 2006, Female. 1 of 2.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Dobrostan, Western Rhodopi Mtns., 4th July 2006, Female. 2 of 2.
Dobrostan, Western Rhodopi Mtns., 4th July 2006, Female. 2 of 2.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Hvoyna, Western Rhodpi Mtns., 1st July 2012. Female. 1 of 2.
Hvoyna, Western Rhodpi Mtns., 1st July 2012. Female. 1 of 2.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Hvoyna, Western Rhodpi Mtns., 1st July 2012, Female. 2 of 2.
Hvoyna, Western Rhodpi Mtns., 1st July 2012, Female. 2 of 2.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Mesta valley, 6th July 2011, Female. 1 of 2.
Mesta valley, 6th July 2011, Female. 1 of 2.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Mesta valley, 6th July 2011, Female. 2 of 2.
Mesta valley, 6th July 2011, Female. 2 of 2.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Besapara Hills, 12th June 2011, female.
Besapara Hills, 12th June 2011, female.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Samakov-Borovets. 14th July 2014. Female.
Samakov-Borovets. 14th July 2014. Female.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Dobarsko, Rila Mtns., 15th July 2013.
Dobarsko, Rila Mtns., 15th July 2013.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
near Kyustendil, West Bulgaria. 6th July 2013. Male.
near Kyustendil, West Bulgaria. 6th July 2013. Male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
near Kyustendil, West Bulgaria, 6th July 2013.
near Kyustendil, West Bulgaria, 6th July 2013.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Kato Nevrokopi, N Greece. 15th May 2015. Male. 1 of 2.
Kato Nevrokopi, N Greece. 15th May 2015. Male. 1 of 2.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Kato Nevrokopi, N Greece. 15th May 2015. Male. 2 of 2.
Kato Nevrokopi, N Greece. 15th May 2015. Male. 2 of 2.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Novo Hotzhovo, SW Bulgaria. 21st May 2015. Male.
Novo Hotzhovo, SW Bulgaria. 21st May 2015. Male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Novo Hotzhovo, SW Bulgaria. 21st May 2015. Male.
Novo Hotzhovo, SW Bulgaria. 21st May 2015. Male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Novo Hotzhovo, SW Bulgaria. 21st May 2015. Female.
Novo Hotzhovo, SW Bulgaria. 21st May 2015. Female.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Key underside ID features: M. phoebe vs M. ornata
Key underside ID features: M. phoebe vs M. ornata
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Underside series: M. phoebe vs M. ornata
Underside series: M. phoebe vs M. ornata
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Strandzha, SE Bulgaria. 13th May 2019..
Strandzha, SE Bulgaria. 13th May 2019..
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Strandzha, SE Bulgaria. 13th May 2019.
Strandzha, SE Bulgaria. 13th May 2019.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies


General Information

This is one of the commonest and most frequently encountered fritillaries in Bulgaria. 

It is found most frequently in low lying areas, but is sometimes seen at altutudes over 1000m up to 1300m and sometimes higher.


Foodplant(s): knapweeds (Centaurea spp.)
Flying: Flies from late April through to September in at least two generations.

Habitat

Especially associated with rough meadows and ruderal habitats.

 

Regional Information

Recorded in 99 (5.2%) of the 1900 10km squares of Bulgaria.

Last recorded in June 2019

Recorded date range (Adult): 06 May to 12 August

Recorded date range (Pupa): 13 May to 13 May

Similar Species
S of Koprivlen, SW Bulgaria. 11th May 2015. Male. 1 of 2.
S of Koprivlen, SW Bulgaria. 11th May 2015. Male. 1 of 2.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies