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.

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

Hills opposite Gèdre, French Pyrenees 13th June 2009

Added on 16th June 2009, updated 9th June 2010