This butterfly, which is quite rare in the British Isles, was the commonest seen on this hot day in the mountains. The upper wing photo shows a background of two other butterflies sheltering from the heat in the middle of a plant with burdock type leaves. In the large photos a mating pair were photographed.

Heath Fritillary Melitaea athalia Hills opposite Gèdre, French Pyrenees 13th June 2009 Previous   Next	Heath Fritillary Melitaea athalia Hills opposite Gèdre, French Pyrenees 13th June 2009 Previous   Next	Heath Fritillary Melitaea athalia Hills opposite Gèdre, French Pyrenees 13th June 2009 Previous   Next	Heath Fritillary Melitaea athalia Hills opposite Gèdre, French Pyrenees 13th June 2009 Previous   Next
Heath Fritillary Melitaea athalia head on	Heath Fritillary Melitaea athalia mating	Heath Fritillary Melitaea athalia upper wings	Heath Fritillary Melitaea athalia

Hills opposite Gèdre, French Pyrenees 13th June 2009

Added on 16th June 2009, updated 5th June 2010