22 Great Spangled Fritillary

Speyeria cybele

Characteristics

Wingspan: 2.44–3.46 in (62–88 mm).

Flight season: June–September.

Nectar sources: Very varied.

Habitat: Open, moist meadows and open woodland.

This large, fast-flying, yet easily approachable butterfly is the most common fritillary in most of eastern North America. The upperwings are bright orange with bold black bars and spots creating a particularly striking appearance. When the wings are closed, the underwing pattern can be seen, showing areas of red-brown and pale orange, with white spots and black marks. The females are larger and darker than the males. Great spangled fritillaries range from Arkansas and Georgia in the south to Alberta and Nova Scotia in Canada; west of the Rockies, they live from California to British Columbia.

Adults nectar on a variety of flowers when they emerge, typically in mid-June. Milkweeds, passionflowers, coneflowers, thistles, ironweed, dogbane, and mountain laurel are all preferred. Males fly in search of females, and in late summer eggs are laid on, or near, violets. Unusually, the caterpillars do not feed when they emerge, but remain in situ through the winter, feasting at night on young violet leaves the following spring. There is just one generation each year.