Fritillary ID

[Nick Lawrence]

Hi can anyone identify this small fritillary seen in Croatia this morning.

[Padfield]

Hi Nick. I suspect this is Melitaea didyma, the spotted fritillary. I can't rule out Melitaea trivia, the lesser spotted fritillary, without a good view of the underside. These are the only two possibilities.

Guy

[Nick Lawrence]

Thank you Guy, here's some more photos,a female I think ?

[Pete Eeles]

Since the submarginal spots are rounded (rather than triangular) then I believe this to be Spotted (didyma), rather than Lesser Spotted (trivia), Fritillary. And, based on the abdomen, definitely female. I believe that a chap that goes by the name "Padfield" helped me out with the difference(s) a long time ago, on a planet, far far away. Or perhaps it was in Switzerland

Cheers,

- Oete

[Padfield]

Quite!

I would add that the lack of a disco-cellular vein on the hindwing confirms didyma. In trivia, this vein (only really visible from the underside) closes the end of the cell. The cell is open in didyma.

Guy