Greater Fritillaries
Speyeria
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Superfamily: Papilionoidea
- Family: Nymphalidae
- Subfamily: Heliconiinae
- Tribe: Argynnini
- Genus: Speyeria
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Speyeria: //spaɪˈɛɹiə//
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Images
Summary
Speyeria, commonly known as greater fritillaries, is a genus of butterflies in the family Nymphalidae found in North America, Europe, and Asia. It includes both well-known North American species and several Eurasian species, characterized by their broad, patterned wings and specific habitat preferences.
Physical Characteristics
This genus consists of medium to large sized, broad-winged butterflies with a wingspan ranging from 3.5 to 10.5 cm. Most species exhibit a distinctive pattern of black dashes and spots on their upper wings, with rounded or oval pale spots on the undersides—often silvered, especially on the hind wings. A few species diverge from the usual orange ground color, and in some cases, the light spots below may not be silvered.
Identification Tips
The distinctive pattern and size of the wings make Speyeria easily identifiable in North America. They may be confused with the genus Boloria, which contains smaller species with unsilvered pale spots below, and Euptoieta, which has longer and narrower wings and lacks the characteristic rounded white spots below. Checkerspots are also called fritillaries in the UK but are smaller and have distinctly different patterns.
Habitat
Cool temperate and boreal regions of North America and Eurasia, often found in grassy areas near food plants for larvae.
Distribution
Found primarily in North America, Europe, and Asia; 16 species in North America and 3 species in Eurasia.
Diet
Adults feed primarily on nectar from flowers, particularly favoring Composites (family Asteraceae). Larvae feed on Violet species (Viola).
Life Cycle
These butterflies have one brood, primarily from mid-June to mid-September. Caterpillars overwinter in their first instar, typically without feeding, and commence feeding in late winter or spring when the food plants begin to grow.
Reproduction
Oviposition occurs in the summer to autumn, typically in grassy areas near or on Violet plants. Eggs may overwinter, but this is not confirmed by studies.
Ecosystem Role
As pollinators, they contribute to the health of flowering ecosystems. Their larvae serve as food for various predators.
Cultural Significance
Speyeria butterflies are often appreciated in butterfly watching and contribute to biodiversity in their respective habitats.
Collecting Methods
- Netting adult butterflies
- Field observation
Preservation Methods
- Mounting specimens
- Freezing for genetic studies
Evolution
Historically considered a subgenus of Argynnis, Speyeria was reestablished as a separate genus in 2017, reflecting its distinct evolutionary lineage.
Misconceptions
Some authors mistakenly include Speyeria species as a part of the genus Argynnis. Additionally, other genera like Fabriciana are often debated in their taxonomic placement relative to Speyeria.
Tags
- butterflies
- Nymphalidae
- Lepidoptera
- Speyeria
- Greater Fritillaries