.mw-parser-output .hidden-begin{box-sizing:border-box;width:100%;padding:5px;border:none;font-size:95%}.mw-parser-output .hidden-title{font-weight:bold;line-height:1.6;text-align:left}.mw-parser-output .hidden-content{text-align:left}@media all and (max-width:500px){.mw-parser-output .hidden-begin{width:auto!important;clear:none!important;float:none!important))You can help expand this article with text translated from the corresponding article in French. (August 2018) Click [show] for important translation instructions. View a machine-translated version of the French article. Machine translation, like DeepL or Google Translate, is a useful starting point for translations, but translators must revise errors as necessary and confirm that the translation is accurate, rather than simply copy-pasting machine-translated text into the English Wikipedia. Consider adding a topic to this template: there are already 6,165 articles in the main category, and specifying|topic= will aid in categorization. Do not translate text that appears unreliable or low-quality. If possible, verify the text with references provided in the foreign-language article. You must provide copyright attribution in the edit summary accompanying your translation by providing an interlanguage link to the source of your translation. A model attribution edit summary is Content in this edit is translated from the existing French Wikipedia article at [[:fr:Mélitée des centaurées]]; see its history for attribution. You may also add the template ((Translated|fr|Mélitée des centaurées)) to the talk page. For more guidance, see Wikipedia:Translation.

Knapweed fritillary[1]
Male
Female
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Melitaea
Species:
M. phoebe
Binomial name
Melitaea phoebe
Synonyms[1]

Papilio phoebe Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775

Melitaea phoebe, also known as the knapweed fritillary,[1] is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae.[2] It is found in the Palearctic realm, except the northernmost locations. It used to include Melitaea telona, recently revalidated as a distinct cryptic species.

Description

For a key to the terms used, see Glossary of entomology terms.
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Melitaea phoebe's wingspan is 34–50 mm. The largest Melitaea of the Old World, at least certain of its forms. The forewing is much more pointed than in the previous species; equally variable in both colour and distinctness of markings. The black markings are usually united, in some cases even covering nearly the whole wing, but in other cases may be strongly reduced. It is characteristic for this species that the reddish yellow submarginal lunate spot situated between the two median veins reaches with its vertex considerably farther into the disc than the other yellow lunate spots. This is especially the case on the forewing, but also on the hindwing. The submarginal lunule between the 1 and 2 median veins projects farther basal than the others of the same row.[3] Wheeler (1903) gives a short description.[4]

Biology

The butterfly flies from April to September depending on the location. The larvae feed on Plantago and Centaurea species (including Centaurea jacea).[citation needed]

Etymology

Named in the classical tradition. Phoebe is in Greek mythology is one of the first generation of Titans, who were one set of sons and daughters of Uranus and Gaia.[citation needed]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Melitaea phoebe.
  1. ^ a b c d e Melitaea phoebe[permanent dead link]. IUCN Red List.
  2. ^ Savela, Markku. "Melitaea phoebe (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775)". Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms. Retrieved 23 June 2018.
  3. ^ Seitz. A. in Seitz, A. ed. Band 1: Abt. 1, Die Großschmetterlinge des palaearktischen Faunengebietes, Die palaearktischen Tagfalter, 1909, 379 Seiten, mit 89 kolorierten Tafeln (3470 Figuren). Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  4. ^ Wheeler, George. The butterflies of Switzerland and the alps of central Europe. London: Elliot Stock, 1903.
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