Distribution
It is found in south-western Europe, more specifically on the Iberian Peninsula, south-western France, parts of the Italian Alps and southern and south-western Germany and a few regions ofDescription
The wingspan is 28–34 mm. Seitz- ''M.parthenie'' Brk. (= ''parthenoides'' Kef.) (67a). Above very similar to ''athalia'', especially in pattern, but the black markings much thinner, yellowish red the prevalent colour. While in ''aurelia'' and ''athalia'' the yellowish red spots may be said to be united to bands, ''parthenie'' has orange bands of almost even width and traversed by thin black veins; the median band especially is very broad, the spots composing it being almost twice as long as wide, which is hardly ever the case in European ''athalia''. 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. Seitz. A. in Seitz, A. ed. Band 1: Abt. 1, ''Die Großschmetterlinge des palaearktischen Faunengebietes, Die palaearktischen Tagfalter'', 1909, 379 Seiten, mit 89 kolorierten Tafeln (3470 Figuren)Biology
In dry, favourable climates, adults are on wing in two generations, from May to June and from August to September. At high altitudes, there is one generation from June to July. The larvae feed on '' Plantago'' species, mainly '' P. lanceolata''.References
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