Distribution and biological peculiarities in Armenia: So far the species is found in Southern Transcaucasia and Northern Iran. Similarly to the M. ornata the taxonomy of the species was a subject of study, and only in 2014 it was figured out that semi-deserts of South-eastern Armenia are inhabited by M. abbasGross & Ebert, 1975. Thus in Armenia the species occupies elevation range from 500 to 1200 m a.s.l. The knowledge on species' biology are quite scarce and the host plant is still not determined, however it is known that the species gives one generation per year, when butterflies are on wing from early May till mid June.
Population dynamics: The species is quite uncommon within typical habitat, and the existing data is not sufficient for calculation of its population trend. Supposedly it might be affected by grazing of sheep and goats, which is rather widespread in the region, however there is no evidence of such an influence. Also it is supposed that part of the species' habitat was destroyed by open-pit mine of Agarak, and further expansion of mining activities can be ruinous for the other parts of habitat as well.
Conservation measures: The species is not included in the Global, European, and National Red Lists, as well as in CITES and Bern Convention. Our preliminary assessment of Southern Knapweed Fritillary's conservation status in Armenia suggests it as Data Deficient. At current the species' distribution is partly covered by Zangezur Biosphere Reserve and Zangezur Emerald Site. The species is presented in the Prime Butterfly Areas Agarak, Meghri, Kaladash, and Shvanidzor. For protection of Southern Knapweed Fritillary, the following conservation measures are suggested: (1) setting up the species' monitoring for identification of its population trend; (2) study of the species' biology and ecology for better understanding of the limiting factors and threats; (3) development of management plan for the Emerald Sites; (4) using the species as a flagship for development of butterfly-watching in Prime Butterfly Areas, and for involvement of local communities in serving the tourist and therefore, getting them interested in the species and habitat conservation.