Wingspan: 36–46 mm
Flight period: in one generation from May to July
Larval host plants: meadow scabious (Succisa pratensis) on moist meadows, species of the genus Scabiosa on semi-dry and dry soils
Meadow fritillary (Euphydryas aurinia) has a wide distribution in Europe, but it is threatened by the disappearance of meadows on poor soils. In Slovenia it is a protected species, which is also listed on the Red List of endangered butterflies of Slovenia. Meadow fritillary is also one of the qualifying species for the designation of Natura 2000 areas. This is a network of protected areas designated by the member states of the European Union and is important for maintaining biodiversity due to the exceptional preservation of nature.
The upper side of the wings of this medium-sized butterfly is orange and brown-spotted, the underside is lighter with more spots in yellowish tones. The characteristic pattern on the underside of the wings is visible in the photograph.
In summer we can see it flying and perching on flowers in dry or moist grasslands, from the sea to the high mountains. It is one of the butterflies whose caterpillars hide from predators in a communal silken cocoon.
