Melitaea parthenoides, the meadow fritillary, is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae.

Note that the common name meadow fritillary is also used for the North American species Boloria bellona.

Upper surface very similar to Melitaea athalia, especially in pattern, but the black markings much thinner, yellowish red the prevalent colour.

The underside likewise resembles athalia in pattern, but is brighter, more variegated, the black edges of the various bands being more prominent, the colours contrasting more distinctly.

[3] In dry, favourable climates, adults are on wing in two generations, from May to June and from August to September.