About Melitaea varia Herrich-Schaeffer, 1851
Melitaea varia Herrich-Schaeffer, 1851 has a wingspan of 24–28 mm. This Seitz description of varia Meyer-Dür (65b) notes it is a smaller form from the higher Alps. It can be recognized by the markings on the underside of its hindwing: these markings are silvery white, while they are pale yellow in the nymotypical form of the species. In males, the markings in the median area of the forewing are usually somewhat faded; the network formed by the veins and transverse lines is interrupted or paler before the wing apex. Females often have blackish shading across their wings, and the wing ground colour takes on a brass or olive tint; the female abdomen is very heavy.
