Glanville
Fritillary
2009 photos highlighted in yellow. 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 | 14939_female_Var_07May09 |
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| 17458_female_Hautes Alpes_08Jul09 | 15132_pair_Var_09May09 | 10309_female_Var_6May08 |
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| 5180_male?_Var_6May07 | 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. Altitude 230m.
10446: a rather dark male, the dark chequered borders contrasting nicely with the fresh white fringes. Altitude 1000m.
14939: a female, based on the heavier markings and the roundness of what is just visible of the body. Altitude 220m.
17458: a very dark female from high altitude. It is actually a mating pair, male just visible below. Altitude 2000m.
15132: a mating pair, female above. The female is more heavily marked and this seems to be consistent for most or all of the specimens I have seen. Altitude 450m.
10309: a typical female, slightly worn. Altitude 185m.
5180: if I had to guess, I would say this is a male based on its rather territorial pose. The submarginal black spots are quite light in the post-discal orange band, suggesting male. Altitude 220m.
5142: a female, the pose is not territorial as in 5180, as it was roosting for the night. The submarginal black spots are quite heavy in the post-discal orange band, suggesting female. Altitude 220m.
10446_male_Alpes Maritimes_9May08
17458_female_Hautes Alpes_08Jul09
