About Mellicta aurelia (Nickerl, 1850)
Scientific name: Mellicta aurelia (Nickerl, 1850)
This species has a wingspan of 28–32 mm (1.1–1.3 in). Its base color is dark russet-brown, which is so heavily marked with black that the base color is reduced to very small spots in female individuals. Overall, it is similar to Melitaea athalia, but is smaller in size. It also has deeper, heavier black markings, and a darker, more brownish base color. On the underside, the marginal line positioned before the fringes is either absent or very indistinct. This species can be distinguished by palpi covered in foxy red hairs; the palpi of Melitaea athalia are whitish, and are only occasionally somewhat reddish yellow, and even then this coloration is only present at the base.
