Melitaea varia

Melitaea varia, the Grisons fritillary, is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae.

It is found in the Alps at heights of 1,500–2,600 m (4,900–8,500 ft), especially in the Swiss cantons Valais, Engadin and Graubünden.

It is also found in the Ortler region in South Tyrol, Alpes-Maritimes and Drôme in France, high areas of Tirol in Austria and high areas in the Apennine Mountains such as Abruzzo.

In the male the markings in the median area of the forewing are usually somewhat obsolescent, the network formed by the veins and transverse lines being interrupted or paler before the apex.

The female often shaded with blackish, the ground-colour having a tint of brass-colour or olive; the abdomen very heavy.