Last Updated on October 27, 2023 9:25 AM by Miroslav Maric
English name:
Heath Fritillary
Full scientific name:
Melitaea athalia (Rottemburg, 1775)
Croatian name:
Obična riđa
Flight Period and Life Cycle
1-2 broods per year. Overwinters as caterpillar.
Distribution in Croatia
Missing in the far south. Check the included map.
External Morphology Characteristics
On the upper side of both wings there are brown bands and orange spots. External morphology of Melitaea athalia, Melitaea aurelia and Melitaea britomartis is very similar. Examination of the male genitalia is the reference method for separating three species. The species Melitaea athalia has on the underside of the forewing, in S1-S3 of submarginal zone, a thickening of the dark line on the side towards the margin.
Behavior
Imago feeds with nectar of various flowers.
Caterpillar Host Plants
Family Scrophulariaceae and Plantago species.
Habitat
Wet meadows and woodland clearances. Elevations: 0-1200m.