Glanville
Fritillary
2008 photos highlighted green. Click on any photo to go to an enlarged picture, or simply scroll down the page.
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| 9965_male_Var_23Apr08 | 10446_male_Alpes Maritimes_9May08 | 5180_male?_Var_6May07 |
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| 10309_female_Var_6May08 | 5142_female_Var_29Apr07 |
Quite common in southern France, in fact it is widespread and often very common, contrasting with its range in the UK which is limited to the Isle of Wight and (allegedly) a mainland coastal location in Somerset. The uppersides are very similar to the mellicta family although it belongs to the melitaea group. It is superficially similar to many other fritillaries, but the black spots in the uph submarginal spaces make it easily distinguishable from its relatives, at least in France. The undersides are very different to mellicta species, showing why it belongs to the melitaea family. It is an early season butterfly, emerging in April and having all but disappeared in the far south by the end of May, although this is not true of others parts of France further north.
9965: a very typical male upperside in terms of markings.
10446: a rather dark male, the dark chequered borders contrasting nicely with the fresh white fringes.
5180: if I had to guess, I would say this is a male based on its rather territorial pose. Altitude 220m.
10939: a typical female, slightly worn.
5142: a female, the pose is not territorial as in 5180, as it was roosting for the night. Altitude 220m.
10446_male_Alpes Maritimes_9May08
