Speyeria
- Pronunciation
- /spay-EER-ee-uh/
- Category
- Taxonomy
- Singular
- Speyeria
- Plural
- Speyeria
Definition
A of in the , commonly called the , distributed across North America, Europe, and Asia. are medium to large with orange-brown wings marked by black spots and checkered margins; larvae feed on violets (Viola). Historically treated as a subgenus of , Speyeria was reinstated as a distinct genus in 2017 based on molecular and morphological evidence.
Full guide
Read the full Speyeria guide for identification, examples, and taxonomy.
Etymology
Named by Samuel Scudder in 1872; etymology uncertain, possibly honoring a person or place.
Example
Speyeria aphrodite, the Aphrodite fritillary, ranges across northern North America and is distinguished from similar by hindwing spot patterns.
Synonyms
Related Terms
- Argynnis
- Nymphalidae
- fritillary
- Lepidoptera
- brush-footed butterfly
- viola (host plant)
Usage Notes
The boundaries remain active research topics; some field guides may still list these under . Identification to species often requires examination of wing patterns and male genitalia.