A rare and localised butterfly in England, but common and widely distributed in most of France, especially in the south, where it is often the most common species. It is also subject to considerable variation, which can make differentiation from its close Mellicta cousins, especially the Meadow Fritillary (M. parthenoides) and the Provencal Fritillary (M. dejone), very difficult.

In the new European taxonomy, the Mellicta fritillaries are now grouped with the Melitaea genus, so this species now has the scientific name Melitaea athalia.

observations

a typical male of the rather sombre high altitude athalia.

an unusually bright and rather orange athalia, considering the altitude.

another high altitude sombre athalia, even more so than 21631.

a male, with very heavy black borders that may be altitude-related. This looks quite orange-red and rather dejone-like.

a lightly marked small male in an unusual but typical pose (for this population) of the wings widely separated.

a similar pose to 10614, but rather dark upf markings.

a female which I believe had just emerged and was drying its wings before its maiden flight.  

a male underside.

a male taking salts from a sheep's crotte.

a male, puddling. It seemed rather more red-orange than most athalia.