Aetherie Fritillary
Melitaea aetherie
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aetherie_fritillary
Overview
The Aetherie Fritillary is a medium-sized butterfly with distinctive orange-brown wings marked by intricate black checkered patterns and pale spotted undersides. This species serves as an important pollinator in its mountain ecosystems and acts as a key indicator of grassland health, with its caterpillars feeding exclusively on specific plantain species.
The Aetherie Fritillary faces significant threats from habitat loss and degradation due to agricultural intensification and urban development across its range. Climate change poses additional risks by altering the distribution and phenology of its host plants, while overgrazing by livestock degrades the flower-rich meadows essential for adult feeding.
Habitat
Inhabits dry grasslands, rocky slopes, and flower-rich meadows in mountainous regions, typically at elevations between 1000-2500m. The species requires areas with abundant nectar sources and specific host plants from the Plantaginaceae family for larval development.
Other threatened species in Nymphalidae
Threatened in Algeria
Frequently asked questions
Why is Aetherie Fritillary classified as Vulnerable?
Where does Aetherie Fritillary live?
What are the main threats to Aetherie Fritillary?
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