Spotted fritillary

Description:

Melitaea didyma is a medium sized butterfly. The upperside of the wings is bright orange-brown with dark brown drawings arranged in rows, quite variable in quantity and size. The underside of the wings is checkered pale yellow and pale orange. M. didyma has a seasonal and sexual dimorphism. This butterfly flies from March to October depending on the location. This species has two or three generations and overwinters as young caterpillar. Melitaea didyma prefers flowery and grassy areas, meadows and roadsides. the pictured buttrfly was spotted while foraging on a daucus carota plant, in a prairie in Agrafa mountains, Greece.