There are three species in the genus Mellicta Billberg, 1820 in Ukraine: M. athalia (Rottemburg, 1775), M. britomartis (Assmann, 1848), and M. aurelia (Nickerl, 1850). The first two species are listed for Kharkov region by all basic literature sources. It is possible that all three species are present in our region. Sampling and genitalia investigation confirmed so far the occurrence of M. athalia and M. britomartis in our region. The latter species is somewhat less common and more localized.
I don't have a reliable way to distinguish these species in the field. The information below concerns all Mellicta species.
Generally uncommon but sometimes common to abundant. One generation, usually from late May to mid July.
Early/late dates: May 15 - July 29.
Habitat: various meadows.
V-19-2009, Kharkov reg., Dergachi distr., Gavrilovka; male - athalia |
VI-15-2009, Kharkov reg., Dergachi distr., Gavrilovka; male - britomartis |
VI-15-2006, Kharkov reg., N. Vodolaga distr., Fedorovka; male |
VI-15-2006, Kharkov reg., N. Vodolaga distr., Fedorovka; male (same as left) |
VI-15-2006, Kharkov reg., N. Vodolaga distr., Fedorovka; male |
VI-15-2006, Kharkov reg., N. Vodolaga distr., Fedorovka; male |
VI-15-2006, Kharkov reg., N. Vodolaga distr., Fedorovka; male |
VI-15-2006, Kharkov reg., N. Vodolaga distr., Fedorovka; female |
VI-22-2006, Kharkov reg., N. Vodolaga distr., Fedorovka; female |
VI-22-2006, Kharkov reg., N. Vodolaga distr., Fedorovka; female (same as left) |
VI-22-2006, Kharkov reg., N. Vodolaga distr., Fedorovka; male - britomartis |
VI-23-2006, Kharkov reg., N. Vodolaga distr., Fedorovka; males |
VII-02-2006, Kharkov reg., N. Vodolaga distr., Fedorovka; male |
VII-03-2006, Kharkov reg., N. Vodolaga distr., Fedorovka; male |
VII-01-2007, Kharkov reg., Zmijev distr., Lesnoje; male |
VI-17-2007, Kharkov reg., Dergachi distr., Gavrilovka; male - athalia |
VI-14-2009, Kharkov reg., Zmijev distr., Pershotravnevoe; female |
VI-18-2009, Kharkov reg., N. Vodolaga distr., Fedorovka |
VII-02-2006, Kharkov reg., N. Vodolaga distr., Fedorovka; female |
VI-29-2006, Kharkov reg., Volchansk distr., Okhrimovka (aka Efremovka); female |
VI-22-2007, Kharkov reg., Volchansk distr., Okhrimovka (aka Efremovka); female |
VI-22-2007, Kharkov reg., Volchansk distr., Okhrimovka (aka Efremovka); female (same as left) |
Records of M. athalia |
Records of M. britomartis |