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False Heath Fritillary

Melitaea diamina

The False Heath Fritillary is a beautiful butterfly with orange and black patterns on its wings. It loves to flutter around flowers and is a special sight in meadows during warm days.

Habitat: Meadows

Appearance

The False Heath Fritillary has orange-brown wings with a distinctive dark brown checkerboard pattern on the upper side. Its hindwing undersides feature pale yellow and brown bands, uniquely marked with a row of small, dark-ringed white spots, helping to distinguish it from similar fritillaries.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyNymphalidaeGenusMelitaea
False Heath Fritillary
solitary trait badgecamouflaged trait badgecolorful trait badgegrassland trait badge
False Heath Fritillary

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

Adult butterflies only live for about two weeks after emerging!

Its caterpillars have spiky black bodies with bright orange stripes!

These butterflies love to visit purple flowers to sip their sweet nectar!

They spend winter as tiny caterpillars, hidden away until spring!

Special abilities

Ability

Camouflage Wings

False Heath Fritillary has intricate checkered wing patterns that help them blend into sun-dappled grassy meadows, avoiding detection.

Ability

Host Plant Specialist

False Heath Fritillary can lay its eggs specifically on certain plants, ensuring caterpillars have the right food to grow.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
32-42 mm
Size
15-20 mm
Lifespan
7-14 days
Flight Speed
8-16 km/h
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

Caterpillars munch on leaves, while adult butterflies sip sweet nectar from flowers.

Age differences: Caterpillars eat specific host plant leaves; adults forage for nectar from various flowers.

Primary Foods

  • Valeriana dioica
  • Cirsium palustre
  • Veronica beccabunga
  • flower nectar

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

depends on

Marsh Valerian

Valeriana dioica

Caterpillars feed exclusively on its leaves.

pollinates

Marsh Thistle

Cirsium palustre

Adults drink nectar, helping to spread its pollen.

eaten by

European Robin

Erithacus rubecula

Young birds can prey on the adult butterflies.

parasitizes

Braconid Wasp

Cotesia melitaearum

Its larvae develop inside the butterfly's caterpillar.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Be gentle and quiet around butterflies so they don't get scared away.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is False Heath Fritillary's wingspan?

32-42 mm

How big is False Heath Fritillary?

15-20 mm

How long does False Heath Fritillary live?

7-14 days

How fast can False Heath Fritillary fly?

8-16 km/h

What does False Heath Fritillary eat?

Caterpillars munch on leaves, while adult butterflies sip sweet nectar from flowers.

Where is False Heath Fritillary usually found?

Meadows

How does False Heath Fritillary hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does False Heath Fritillary have?

6

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