Brenthis hecate is a large fritillary with a wingspan reaching 35–45 millimetres (1.4–1.8 in) and bright orange uppersides of the wings.

Darker red-brown than most of the preceding species, above similar to niobe, the wings more rounded, the spots thin but sharply defined, all separated from each other, only the median dentate line of the hindwing continuous.

In Central and South Europe, France, Northern Italy, especially Austria-Hungary, Russia and Asia Minor.

[now B. hectae transcaucasica (Wnukowsky, 1929)](68f) is a rather large form, which is more yellowish brown above and very light yellow on the hindwing beneath, the cinnamon-brown being much reduced; from the shores of the Black Sea, especially Armenia.

This species is typical of dry flowery meadows with light scrub and woodland margins, at an elevation of 25–1,500 metres (82–4,921 ft) above sea level.