EASTERN KNAPWEED FRITILLARY
This fritillary has a wingspan of 34 to 50mm and is slightly smaller and paler than the knapweed fritillary. They have reddish-yellow crescent shaped spots around the edges of both wings, with a larger spot in the middle of these outer spots. Also, the black markings on the wings are usually joined. The pupae are a dull yellow-brown colour, with dark yellow and black markings. The caterpillars are grey with a black head, soft red-brown branched horns, blackish dorsal lines and lots of white spots.
The eastern knapweed fritillary can be seen from April until September. This butterfly has a large range of habitats. I photographed it in a flower filled valley near Avithos lake. It also likes flowery fields and plains, and stoney scrubland or rocky hillsides. They larvae feed on knapweeds and plantains. There are normally 2 broods produced in early Summer and late Summer.
