Aetherie fritillary

(Redirected from Melitaea aetherie)

The aetherie fritillary (Melitaea aetherie) is a butterfly in the family Nymphalidae.

Aetherie fritillary
Male
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Melitaea
Species:
M. aetherie
Binomial name
Melitaea aetherie
(Hübner, 1826)
Synonyms

Melitaea aetherea (lapsus)
Melitaea aetheria (lapsus)
Melitaea aetheriae (lapsus)

Distribution

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It is found locally in mountain areas of North Africa and very locally in southern Spain, southern Portugal, Sicily and southern Italy.

Biology

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The insect flies from mid-April until the end of May with a second generation in September in Italy. The habitat is open grasslands and flowery meadows. The larvae feed on various Centaurea knapweeds. The flowers of Centaurea also attract the nectar-feeding adults.

Description

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