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Southern Heath Fritillary

Melitaea celadussa

The Southern Heath Fritillary is a beautiful butterfly with orange and black patterns on its wings. It loves to flutter around flowers and can often be seen in sunny meadows during spring and summer.

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

The Southern Heath Fritillary is a medium-sized butterfly with vibrant orange-brown wings featuring a distinctive checkerboard pattern of dark brown spots and lines. Its hindwings often show a paler band with crescent-shaped markings along the edge. The underside is similarly patterned but typically lighter, aiding in identification.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyNymphalidaeGenusMellicta
Southern Heath Fritillary
spotted trait badgesolitary trait badgecolorful trait badgegrassland trait badge
Southern Heath Fritillary

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Adult Southern Heath Fritillaries live for just a few weeks, but their journey starts months before!

Caterpillars of this butterfly grow by shedding their skin several times!

Its wings are covered in tiny, overlapping scales, creating their beautiful colors!

They can only taste with their feet, using special sensors to find food plants.

Special abilities

Ability

Nectar Sucker

Southern Heath Fritillary can sip nectar from deep flowers using its long, straw-like proboscis, which helps them collect energy.

Ability

Master of Disguise

The caterpillars can blend seamlessly with their food plants, having dark, spiky bodies that help them avoid hungry predators.

Ability

Rapid Escape Artist

This butterfly can fly with quick, darting movements, allowing them to rapidly evade birds and other airborne threats.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
30-40 mm
Size
15-20 mm
Lifespan
7-14 days
Flight Speed
12 km/h
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

Adults drink nectar; caterpillars munch on leaves.

Age differences: Caterpillars eat plant leaves, while adults feed solely on flower nectar.

Primary Foods

  • Flower nectar
  • Plantain leaves
  • Violet leaves

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

eats

Hairy Violet

Viola hirta

Caterpillars feed on its leaves.

pollinates

Creeping Thistle

Cirsium arvense

Adults drink nectar from its flowers.

eaten by

Great Tit

Parus major

Birds can prey on adult butterflies.

eaten by

Garden Cross Spider

Araneus diadematus

Spiders often trap butterflies in webs.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Be gentle and watch butterflies from a distance so they feel safe.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Southern Heath Fritillary's wingspan?

30-40 mm

How big is Southern Heath Fritillary?

15-20 mm

How long does Southern Heath Fritillary live?

7-14 days

How fast can Southern Heath Fritillary fly?

12 km/h

What does Southern Heath Fritillary eat?

Adults drink nectar; caterpillars munch on leaves.

Where is Southern Heath Fritillary usually found?

Grasslands

How does Southern Heath Fritillary hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Southern Heath Fritillary have?

6

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