Queen of Spain Fritillary

Wingspan 35–48 mm. Flies from late April to late September in 3 generationsgeneration A butterfly flies in 2 generations when the year’s first newly emerged adults (1st generation) bring a new “brood” (“children”) capable of flight into the world in the same year. With 3 generations there are “grandchildren” as well in the same year. The number of generations determines in how many months of the year we can see the butterfly.×. Roams widely, but is typically seen on flower-rich, unfertilised, light soil with Wild Pansy and other violets, which are the caterpillar's food plants. One of the year's first large butterflies on the dike, where it is seen sunbathing on the ground with its wings spread. Takes nectar from many different flowers on the dike and round about. The caterpillar overwinters among withered plant debris.