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Niobe Fritillary

Argynnis niobe

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45.8971, 7.10879

Field Notes

Description:

Spotted resting on the path near mountain meadows. Identifying European fritillaries is tricky; check the comment section!

Habitat:

Altitude 2000 m.

Species ID Suggestions

Dark Green Fritillary

Argynnis aglaja

Reference Link
Saarbrigger
1

High Brown Fritillary

Argynnis adippe
Atul
1

Argynnis niobe

Reference Link
bayucca
2

Comments (17)
DanielePralong
Thanks for your expert opinion bayucca! You'll agree that these European fritillaries are a nightmare... that's why I chose to leave this one unidentified till now! I agree with you after having a look a the links you provided, so I'll update the ID. If someone still disagrees the conversation will go on! Hoping to see you soon post some Swiss butterflies on Project Noah!
bayucca
I think this one is an Argynnis niobe, male. I can see some scent scales, which, however, are not very strong = Niobe. In Adippe these scent scales are much more prominent. Look at the link, there is an excellent overview for separating these extremely tricky butterflies. To my shame I must admit that I do not have a good grasp in my own butterflies as I have with my buggy friends from the neotropics... http://www.lepiforum.de/cgi-bin/lepiwiki... http://felixthecatalog.tim.pagesperso-orange.fr/niobe_fritillary.htm http://www.butterfliesoffrance.com/html/Argynnis%20niobe.htm
DanielePralong
Hi Ashish, Melitaea aethera is not found in the area of this spotting It is local to the mountains of N Africa and very local in S Spain and S Portugal. Also recorded locally in Sicily and S Italy. Many fritillaries in this group are very similar, and I think we may not be able to ID this one down to the species on the basis of this dorsal view only...
Ashish
http://www.learnaboutbutterflies.com/Europe%20-%20Brenthis%20ino.htm
DanielePralong
Thanks Saarbrigger! You didn't confuse me: it's those fritillaries which are confusing! ;-) On the contrary I think you brought in the right ID most likely. I agree the body hair is green on this specimen. But without a look at the underwings my understanding is that we can't be 100% sure... I'll let it open for the moment, you never know whether a fritillary specialist might "visit"!
Saarbrigger
Salut Daniel, I'm not that kind of specialist. I just tried to explaine what I see as difference on the different pictures. Hope I could help and not to confuse.
DanielePralong
Thanks Saarbrigger! Aglaja get its common name from the green hue found on the underside of the hindwings. So the body hair is green as well? Sorry to be picky ;-)
Saarbrigger
I think you can see a difference of the colour of the hairs of the body. aglaja: green / dark green niobe: organge / dark orange
DanielePralong
Thanks for you ID suggestions Saarbrigger and Atul! There's an explosion of fritillaries in my area at the moment and they're quite a challenge to ID down to the species. Based on the shape of the outer margin of the forewing - slightly concave in adippe, straight or convex in niobe and aglaja, this is more likely to be niobe or aglaja. Fully separating aglaja from niobe and adippe needs looking at the underside hindwings, and I couldn't get a shot of these... I would appreciate if you know of further criteria!
DanielePralong
Thanks Ashish, but Speyeria cybele is not on the list of European fritillaries. I am now looking at Argynnis adippe or Argynnis niobe...
Ashish
Great spangled.. Speyeria cybele

Spotted for Missions

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Butterflies & Moths of the World
Mission
European Butterflies and Moths
Photographed
PublishedJune 29, 2011

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