French fritillary ID - please help
Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2018 11:01 pm
Hi All - can anyone help identify these Mellicta/Melitaea fritillaries? I have always found this group completely impossible. All three from northern Var, in the first week of May this year.
Fritillary 1 - in a large area cleared of woodland in the last couple of years, now starting to regenerate. Altitude about 650 m.
Fritillary 2 - same location, basking on the forest track. Noticeably smaller than Fritillary 1, slightly bigger than the Purple-shot Coppers that were in good numbers on the site.
Fritillary 3 - possibly Knapweed Fritillary? along a road verge with lusher vegetation. About the same size as Fritillary 1. Altitude about 480 m.
Fritillary 1 - in a large area cleared of woodland in the last couple of years, now starting to regenerate. Altitude about 650 m.
Fritillary 2 - same location, basking on the forest track. Noticeably smaller than Fritillary 1, slightly bigger than the Purple-shot Coppers that were in good numbers on the site.
Fritillary 3 - possibly Knapweed Fritillary? along a road verge with lusher vegetation. About the same size as Fritillary 1. Altitude about 480 m.