Melitaea cinxia Glanville Fritillary

Description

Taxonomy Identification: Family Nymphalidae, first named by Linnaeus in 1758

Colour: Topside (rect0) coloured an orange-brown, black and white “checkerspot” forewings. On the upper side of the hindwings, they have a row of black dots. The hindwings have white and orange bands and a series of black dots inside them.

Size: Wingspan 30-40mm

Comments & Applications: Commonly called the “Glanville  Fritillary” so named for the naturalist who discovered it and the checkerboard pattern on its wings. This butterfly is highly restricted within the United Kingdom, being confined to the Isle of Wight occurring on soft undercliff and chine grassland and where its main larval food plant Plantago lanceolata (English plantain) occurs in abundance on sheltered, south-facing slopes. Widespread on the continent.

Very popular with the trade for butterfly framing, domes, artwork, photography, interior design, film and reference collections.

Format: Male or Female depending on availability. Available SET with wings spread mounted on a pin OR Unmounted, papered, wings folded, requires relaxing and setting

More information: Wikipedia – Captive Breeding