A small to medium-sized butterfly common in the Atlas Mountains in North Africa, in southern and central Europe, and as far as central Asia. In Israel it is common only in the Naftali Range to Nahal Keziv, and there its southern range limit is found. It flies from March to September. Its wingspan is up to about 40 mm. The female is larger than the male. The butterfly is local and is seen only near its host plant — the large snapdragon. It produces several generations a year. In this species there is great variation among individuals, from orange individuals with sparse spotting to grayish individuals with heavy spotting. The butterfly is very similar to the knapweed fritillary, and the main differences are found in the larvae.
The female lays the eggs in groups on the large snapdragon. The eggs are green, and the egg is round.
The larva that hatches from the egg is hairy, black in color, and has orange bristles. As it matures, its color changes to white with black striping and orange bumps. Its head is orange. Its maximum size is about 20 mm, and it pupates, usually, on stones near the host plant.
The pupa is about 15 mm in size. It is white with orange and black spots. Its duration is from two weeks to about a month.