Cynthia's Fritillary (Euphydryas cynthia)
Photo © Albert Vliegenthart
| Family | Nymphalidae |
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| Subfamily | Nymphalinae |
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| Genus | Euphydryas |
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| Species | cynthia |
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| Authority | ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) |
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| English Name | Cynthia's Fritillary |
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| European Red List 2010 | Least Concern (LC) |
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| EU 27 Red List 2010 | Least Concern (LC) |
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| European Red List 2025 | Least Concern (LC) |
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| EU 27 Red List 2025 | Least Concern (LC) |
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| Habitats Directive | |
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| Bern Convention | |
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| CITES | |
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Description
Cynthia’s Fritillary distinguishes itself from other fritillaries by the large amount of white on the
basal parts of the upperside of the wings of the male. The butterflies occur on sub-alpine and
alpine grassland with short, grassy vegetation and low-growing shrubs and in rocky areas. They fly
quickly, close to the ground, and are fond of basking in the sun on rocks or bare patches of ground.
The female lays her eggs in clusters under leaves of Alpine Plantain (Plantago alpina) and Long-
spurred Pansy (Viola calcarata). The caterpillars are black and bristly with yellow bands between each
segment. They can be very numerous and take two years to develop. The first hibernation takes place
communally in a silken web. In the fourth larval instar, they hibernate a second time, solitarily under
stones, where they later pupate.
Distribution
Austria / Bulgaria / France / France: Mainland / Germany / Italy / Italy: Mainland / Liechtenstein / Switzerland /
Larval Foodplants
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