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The underside of a Melitaea didyma butterfly. Also known as the spotted fritillary or the red-band fritillary, the species is in the family Nymphalidae. It is a medium-sized butterfly with a wingspan reaching 35–50 mm (1.4–2.0 in). The overside of the wings is a bright orange-brown with dark brown markings arranged in rows, which are quite variable in quantity and size. Sometimes the colour of the females is a duller orange, shaded with grey-green. The underside of the wings is chequered pale yellow and pale orange. It is found in southern and central Europe, northern Africa, the Middle East, central Asia and Siberia.Photograph credit: Charles J. Sharp