This species is relatively easy to distinguish from the similar
False heath fritillary (
Melitea cinxia). The Freyer’s fritillary is a slightly larger butterfly, and on the underside of the hindwing has a field with black spots and has characteristical projections. The caterpillars are easily noticeable during spring on newly developed leafs of
Centaurea sp. Although the Freyer’s fritillary was discovered only in 2007 in Serbia, the findings so far indicate that it is widespread in the whole of eastern and southern Serbia. Their habitat includes meadows and pastures that are maintained by grazing or mowing. The host plants are from the genus
Centaurea, in Serbia
Centaurea phrygia. This species inhabits the area from southeastern Europe to the central parts of Asia and Europe and is a relatively rare butterfly. Populations in the Balkans belong to subspecies
M. a. rhodopensis.