SPOTTED FRITILLARY - ADULT AND LARVA
Yes, this is a post about the spotted fritillary, a butterfly from the Nymphalidae family. The scientific name of the species is Melitaea didyma. Since Nymphalidae is the largest family of butterflies, with more than 6,000 species, I would like to specify that Melitaea didyma belongs to the Melitaeini tribe of the Nymphalinae subfamily within the Nymphalidae family.
If you remember, I published a post about the similar-looking Boloria dia butterfly from the same family. The following link can take you to that recent post if you wish to check it for comparison.
https://ecency.com/@borjan/a-beautiful-brush-footed-butterfly
When I started conceiving this post I'm writing right now, I was convinced that its protagonist, the Melitaea didyma, would be closely related to Boloria dia, at least part of the same subfamily if not in the same tribe, but the superficial similarity can be very deceiving in nature, especially when it comes to insects.
After a quick internet search, I found out that these two butterflies only look alike due to the similar size and the checkered pattern on their wings, but they belong to entirely different subfamilies.
Their genetic divergence is deep, meaning they are distant evolutionary cousins rather than close relatives.
When it comes to the Melitaea didyma dietary habits, the larvae feed on various plants, including Linaria, Plantago lanceolata, Veronica, Centaurea jacea, and Digitalis purpurea. The adults feed on nectar wherever they can find it and collect it, which means they visit a wide variaty of flowers.
The larva you'll see in this post was photographed on the stem of grass, but I remember that grass being close to the Plantago lanceolata leaves. In general, I see these caterpillars mostly on Plantago lanceolata here in my area.
The spotted fritillary was once very numerous here where I live. Nowadays is still one of the most common species, but the number of butterflies is so low that I don't see it very often.
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And that's all. Hope you like caterpillars as well, not only butterflies. As always on Hive, the photographs are my work.
😍🥰 it's lovely
🙂
!discovery
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Very few people can photograph the way you do. Everything is clear in the picture and looks so beautiful.
Thank you. 🙂 That's a big compliment.
what an interesting looking caterpillar form.. the 'hair' pattern is so cool!
Yes, this is a cool one. The hair, the colors, and the protuberances are nicely intricate. Insects come in so many surprising shapes and colors, and there are so many species, so there is no shortage of amazing stuff for macro photography.
Awesome post @borjan friend!!! 🫵😀🔟📷🦋
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That's one spiny caterpillar! But it turns into a nice butterfly! Are the caterpillars toxic? I've heard a lot of the spiny ones tend to be toxic so birds don't eat them. Awesome macro pictures as always, I love all the details you managed to capture in the both the caterpillar and the butterfly!
Yes, many of the spiny and hairy ones are toxic. Many others are harmless but mimic the toxic ones. Some are not toxic but have hair that irritate with their shape or structure, without toxins. Insects are full of interesting strategies and surprises.
Glad you like this macro stuff. 🙂
Interesting facts, those insects have genetics helping them to survive, even if it is just mimicry! lol
Another educational post!😊 I find it interesting that butterflies that look so similar can actually be quite different.
Yes, it was a surprise for me too. 🙂 Glad you find this insect stuff interesting.
Yes, I really do! 😊 I may not know much about insects, but I enjoy learning from your posts.
This is a truly magnificent butterfly. Thank you for presenting such detailed information—including its scientific name and details about the larval stage—along with the beautiful photography.
Thank you. 🙂 Glad you find this macro stuff interesting.
https://x.com/WaleedRaza1960/status/2110267867925205342
The photo of the butterfly is wonderful, and I really enjoyed the lovely details you shared about it. I also learned about the connection between the butterfly and the caterpillar. Thank you so much for such a beautiful post. I will soon share a photo of a beautiful butterfly, just like the one you posted.