Speyeria adiaste atossa
(W.H. Edwards, 1890)
Atossa fritillary
Speyeria adiaste atossa, the Atossa fritillary, is an extinct of the unsilvered fritillary . It was last observed around 1960 in the mountain ranges of southern California. The precise cause of extinction remains unknown, though drought conditions in the late 1950s may have contributed to decline. The subspecies was first described by William Henry Edwards in 1864. Speyeria is now treated as a subgenus of .
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Speyeria adiaste atossa: //spɛˈɪəriə əˈdiæsteɪ əˈtɒsə//
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Habitat
Higher elevations near mountain tops in the Tehachapi, Tejon, and San Jacinto mountain ranges of southern California.
Distribution
Formerly restricted to the Tehachapi, Tejon, and San Jacinto mountain ranges in southern California, USA. The is now extinct.
Host Associations
- Viola - larval food plantSpeyeria fritillary butterflies and their larval food plants Viola are known to be sensitive to environmental changes.
More Details
Extinction
The was last observed and collected around 1960. The precise cause of extinction is not known. Droughts in the late 1950s may have weakened the and made them more vulnerable to .
Taxonomic Note
Speyeria is now recognized as a subgenus of as of 2017.
Sources and further reading
- BugGuide
- Wikipedia
- GBIF taxonomy match
- UC Davis Seminar: 'Insect Conservation in an Uncertain Future' | Bug Squad
- Bohart Museum Butterfly Donor Chuck Hageman Leaves a Lasting Legacy | Bug Squad
- Two other orange and black butterflies: Variegated fritillary, Euptoieta claudia, and great spangled fritillary, Speyeria cybele — Bug of the Week
- Speyeria atlantis Archives - Entomology Today
- The Eyes Have It: How Butterflies Navigate to Suitable Habitat
- USPS Issues Butterfly Postage Stamp