Heath Fritillary (Melitaea athalia)

a beautiful butterfly & great BG too - nice one!!

Sadly, I'm not at my home and I don't have my book with me, otherwise I would have tried to help you to find a name for this guy (sure it will not be difficult, but I don't know northeuropean Fritillaries). If nobody can help you, I'll try when I'm back home.

Anyway, it is an exquisite "40D-Fritillary" picture (), holding all the warm feeling of middle summer!!! :bounce: Very good job, Graham!!! :t: :clap:

:bounce: OTROLIG :bounce: Woweeeeeeewow thats superb Graham, well done

Beautiful image Mac o:t:

Back here, as promised! I've checked this and I conclude it should be a Heath Fritillary (Mellicta athalia), a widespread and common Fritillary in Sweden. I'm not 100% sure but it is the one that suits better your Fritillary features. Nevertheless, it is a very variable species, so it is not surprising your pic doesn't match it perfectly. But the chequered pattern, the general hues and some details in that pattern point to the Heath F.

There is a second possibility, the Assermann's Fritillary (Mellicta britomartis) but I've ruled it out.

If you want to be sure, I'd suggest to post it in the Butterflies Forum, along with a view of the underwing if you have one (to ID Fritillaries, the underwing is very useful). There are well expecienced people in that section that will help you. Cheers! :hi:

Thanks very much to Darrell, Marian, Wilma and Julie for these nice comments!
Thanks very much for taking the trouble to ID this butterfly, Marian. I've looked at some pictures and I'm confident that your ID is correct!