Boloria bellona

Distinguished from similar Boloria species by: squared-off forewing apex (vs. rounder in B. selene); absence of silver spots on hindwing underside (present in B. selene); larger size than B. eunomia and B. chariclea; non-hairy wing bases (vs. hairy in B. eunomia); and hindwing underside coloration—mottled orange and purplish-brown with yellowish median band (vs. rust-red, yellow, and white bands in B. eunomia; deep rusty red in B. chariclea).

Wingspan 3.5–5.1 cm. Upperside yellow-orange with dark spots, lines, and zigzagged bands. Forewing squared off just below apex. Hindwing lacks dark marginal border on most individuals. Underside mottled orange and purplish-brown with yellowish band across hindwing center. Forewing underside smudged with orange and brown near apex. Lacks silver spots characteristic of most lesser fritillaries. Long palps present.

Wet, open environments including pastures, fields, and streamsides. Associated with grassland habitats maintained by disturbance regimes.

North America. Specific range boundaries not detailed in available sources.

Adult flight period June through mid-August in North Dakota; timing varies by latitude. One or two broods per year.

Larvae feed on Viola pallens (northern white violet) and Viola sororia (common blue violet). Adult nectar sources not specified in available sources.

• Viola pallens - host plantnorthern white violet
• Viola sororia - host plantcommon blue violet

Eggs greenish-yellow, deposited near host plants on twigs or leaves. Mature larvae gray and black with small, light-colored spines. Chrysalis yellow-brown. Overwinters as larva. One or two broods annually. Female is active flight partner during mating.

Female initiates mating by active flight. Eggs laid near host plants rather than directly on foliage.

Pollinator. Indicator species for grassland ecosystem health in managed landscapes. Larval herbivore on Viola species.

Subject of conservation research in managed grasslands, particularly regarding effects of prescribed fire and grazing regimes on population persistence. Common name shared with European species Melitaea parthenoides, potentially causing confusion.

• Boloria seleneSimilar range and habitat; distinguished by rounder wings, dark hindwing margin border, and silver spots on hindwing underside
• Boloria eunomiaSimilar range; distinguished by smaller size, hairy wing bases, and rust-red, yellow, and white banding on hindwing underside
• Boloria charicleaSimilar range; distinguished by smaller size and deep rusty red hindwing underside

The common name 'meadow fritillary' is also applied to the European butterfly Melitaea parthenoides, which is not closely related to B. bellona. This shared name may cause identification confusion.

• grassland
• wetland
• pollinator
• indicator species
• prescribed fire
• grazing management

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• Funding from ScottishPower Foundation helps to restore vital habitat to encourage thriving natural ecosystem - Buglife Blog - Buglife
• Do Managed Burns in Grasslands Benefit Butterflies?
• An Evening at Silent Valley - Buglife Blog - Buglife