Identification Guide: Small Fritillaries - Euphydryas 1 Distinguishing Euphydryas by size A comparison of approximate average sizes* Identifying fritillaries* in Europe is difficult due to there being over 40 superficially similar species. As a starting point they are usually roughly divided by size into: 23-40mm ‘large’ fritillaries [Argynnis, Fabriciana, Speyeria], ‘medium-sized’ fritillaries 17-26mm [Brenthis, Issoria], and ‘small’ fritillaries [Boloria, Euphydryas, Melitaea]. Two 14-24mm separate guides in this series cover the Large/Medium Sized and Boloria. A future guide will cover the other small fritillaries, i.e. Melitaea. Euphydryas are noticeably smaller than Argynnis, Fabriciana and Speyeria (see diagram opposite) making confusion with these species very unlikely. MEDIUM SMALL However, the medium sized species, which are intermediates, can be comparable LARGE [Brenthis, Issoria] [Boloria, Euphydryas, in size to Euphydryas with Brenthis ino and Brenthis hecate being most similar. [Argynnis, Fabriciana, * This is an arbitrary grouping, see note on page 4. Melitaea] Speyeria] * if this page is displayed or printed at A4 size Distinguishing the six species of Euphydryas from Boloria, Brenthis, Issoria, and Melitaea Melitaea Euphydryas Uppersides Euphydryas uppersides are usually Boloria, Brenthis, Issoria bright and multicoloured whilst most* Melitaea males and females tend to be duller and uniformly coloured. Euphydryas males and Melitaea athalia females usually have colourful Some Euphydryas have a row uppersides resembling a grid or of small black dots in a distinct orange band net-like pattern, which readily Euphydryas maturna Euphydryas aurinia here on the upperside hind-wing. differentiates them from Boloria, Most* Melitaea do not have this feature. Brenthis and Issoria whichcell have Euphydryas Undersides * See below for species that may confuse. an open pattern of marks and rounded spots. The diagnostic underside features that differentiate M. cinxia and M. arduinna the six Euphydryas species are illustrated below. have black spots here, similar to some Euphydryas. However, their less colourful Euphydryas aurinia and desfontainii have a uppersides should identify. single row of black spots ringed pale Melitaea cinxia yellow/white within a distinct orange band M. phoebe and M. ornata here on the hind-wing. Boloria selene can sometimes have a row Note: Melitaea arduinna and cinxia also have spots of black spots similar to M. but noticeably different overall markings. cinxia above. Their more Boloria selene colourful uppersides might This feature will usually distinguish from Boloria, Brenthis, Issoria and Melitaea. Melitaea diamina also confuse, but a careful Brenthis ino Euphydryas cynthia, iduna, intermedia and maturna have a red/orange band [outlined by yellow dots in the photo opposite] on Melitaea phoebe Brenthis hecate the outer edge of both underside wings Melitaea cinxia comparison of this area, Euphydryas cynthia especially the colour and Boloria, Brenthis, Issoria and Melitaea do not have this feature. size of the markings, IssoriaBrenthis lathonia ino should distinguish. 2 All six Euphydryas species are found in localised populations. However, as only the Marsh and Scarce Fritillary colonies are found across Europe [see distribution maps on page 4], it is best to begin the identification process by using the notes below to establish if your butterfly is one of these two species. If unsure, then follow the notes to the species with more restricted distributions on the next page. Despite its name the Marsh Fritillary is found from sea level to high altitudes 1. Marsh Fritillary [Euphydryas aurinia] 2. Scarce Fritillary [Euphydryas maturna] in diverse habitats including moorland, meadows, grassland and woodland. Male and female have similar upper and Maturna is a lowland species* with scattered undersides. Female is usually larger than male. colonies across western Europe except the Iberian Variations peninsula. More widespread in eastern Europe. MALE & FEMALE upperside The upperside of aurinia shows considerable This distribution means that the only Tips of antennae on both variation across its range. Also, like most other Euphydryas species it is likely Hind-wing has a sexes are orange brown. Euphydryas species, there is a tendency to to be found flying with is aurinia. row of small Compare with 2 and 4 shed scales quickly with age, so losing their Maturna is easily distinguished from black dots in this brightness. Examples are shown below. aurinia by the features highlighted below. orange band. no yellow patches in Compare this row of orange MALE & FEMALE upperside 2 and 4 markings Fore-wing usually has a row of pale yellow Colour contrast can patches within the orange markings here. Uniform orange Hind-wing has no Compare with 2, 4 and females of 5, 5a be more vivid in colouring colder climes black dots in this orange band. MALE & FEMALE underside Male and female similar Compare with 1 This orange band on the hind-wing has but female usually larger a row of black spots ringed yellow. with fewer white markings. Only other Euphydryas with this feature is desfontainii [see page 3] Sandy colouring Tips of antennae on Note: Aurinia does not fly in the Iberian Paler with colour with reduced dark contrast reduced both sexes are white. peninsula where it is replaced by the Compare with 1 subspecies beckeri [see below] markings 1a. subspecies beckeri Like aurinia males and 1b. form debilis/ Males and females have No pale yellow patches in this females have similar upper glaciegenita similar upper and undersides. row of orange markings and undersides with Compare with 1 considerable variation in This montane form of aurinia is colour and markings. smaller and found above the MALE & FEMALE underside hind-wing tree line in the Central Alps and Beckeri has the same Pyrenees. Could be confused This orange underside as aurinia with Melitaea asteria but band on the the black dots in orange band hind-wing has Upperside usually visibly larger with here identify debilis/glaciegenita. no black spots. stronger reddish markings than aurinia. Upperside shows greater Compare contrast than aurinia Underside paler with 1 Beckeri is only found in the Iberian peninsula and very with dark markings than aurinia with locally in southern France [Roussillon]. This distribution usually enlarged and reduced black * Note: Maturna is similar to Euphydryas intermedia overlaps with the Spanish Fritillary [E. desfontainii]. paler red/yellow marks. markings. [page 3] which occurs above 1500 m. in the As Beckeri is similar to desfontainii they could be confused. Compare with Compare with Central Alps. Maturna is invariably found below See 3 on next page for notes on differentiating. 4, 5 and 5a 4, 5 and 5a 1000 m. If needed, use location/altitude to identify 3 3. Spanish Fritillary [Euphydryas desfontainii] 4. Asian Fritillary 5. Cynthia’s Fritillary [Euphydryas intermedia] [Euphydryas cynthia] Desfontainii is restricted to the Iberian peninsula and very locally in a 5a. subspecies alpicola small region of southern France [Roussillon]. See map on page 4. Intermedia, cynthia and its subspecies alpicola are usually found above 1500 m. in the Central Alps The only other Euphydryas with a similar distribution is 1a beckeri. where they could be seen flying in the same area. The only other Euphydryas which might also be Differentiating desfontainii and beckeri can sometimes be difficult as the present is 1 aurinia and its form 1b debilis/glaciegenita. The points below should help differentiate. males and females of both species have similar upper and undersides. Although not always present, the points below should aid identification: Note: Intermedia is absent from Cottian Alps Note: The uncertain transitional boundary of distribution and north of the Rhone Valley in Switzerland. between cynthia and alpicola is roughly the eastern border of Switzerland. Cynthia is found eastwards including the Pirin and MALE & FEMALE upperside Rila mountains of Bulgaria whilst alpicola is found to the west. Desfontainii Beckeri Cynthia Alpicola Colour of Tips of antennae usually pale whitish markings at edge usually reddish MALE uppersides are distinctive with vivid white of fore-wing on male and female are white markings which readily distinguishes from 1, 1b and 4 Uppersides of Compare 1 and 1b sexes similar but female No black larger with virtually no dots in this white marks. orange band Alpicola is duller than cynthia with reduced red markings MALE & FEMALE underside and more extensive black suffusion on the fore-wing. FEMALE uppersides: cynthia brighter than alpicola a Compare 1, 1b large This row of small and 5, 5a No pale yellow patches within these orange and black marks and markings on fore-wing here Compare 1 and 1b bold on fore-wing faint MALE & FEMALE underside hind-wing b This line [shown by yellow dots] Stripe near edge no stripe orange stripe is usually weak of fore-wing from a to b with a roughly parallel thin line [shown by blue The presence of black dots in this orange band always distinguishes from 4. These dots are frequently absent Shape of pale No spots in this dots] alongside. from alpicola males and females [as in photo above]. markings orange band Compare 5 and 5a at edge distinguishes MALE & FEMALE underside: cynthia and alpicola* similar of hind-wing from 1 and 1b Note: Intermedia is similar Note: Faint pale spots to the lowland species triangular rounded sometimes present maturna. See page 2. The presence of black spots in this orange band [as shown] always 6. Lapland Fritillary [Euphydryas iduna] Male and female upper and distinguishes from 4. undersides are similar, displaying This can also differentiate bright red/orange, white and from 1 and 1b which Identification is straightforward This line [shown by yellow black markings. However, iduna have spots with as the distinctive colouring of dots] is usually a single bold can appear grey coloured on the yellow rings. iduna is quite unlike any other wing, whilst the bright line. Compare 4 butterfly found within its Note: The bold line can be more appearance diminishes rapidly * Female alpicola can restricted range [see page 4] fragmented on males making this with age as wing scales are lost.