Hodges#4451

Speyeria aphrodite

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Papilionoidea
Family: Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Heliconiinae
Tribe: Argynnini
Genus: Speyeria
Species: aphrodite

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Speyeria aphrodite: //spaɪˈɪəriə ˌæf.rəˈdaɪti//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Aphrodite fritaillary on milkweed speyeria aphrodite by Sturm Ken, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Used under a Public domain license.

Speyeria aphrodite alcestis-black by Nature Study Publishing Company, Chicago.
. Used under a Public domain license.

Speyeria mormonia P1480403a by
xpda. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Aphrodite Fritillary (Speyeria aphrodite) (6044900984) by Aaron Carlson from Menomonie, WI, USA. Used under a CC BY-SA 2.0 license.

Aphrodite Fritillary (Speyeria aphrodite) (9481893723) by Aaron Carlson from Menomonie, WI, USA. Used under a CC BY-SA 2.0 license.

Speyeria aphrodite alcestis-transparent by Nature Study Publishing Company, Chicago.
. Used under a Public domain license.

Summary

The Aphrodite fritillary (Speyeria aphrodite) is a fritillary butterfly known for its distinctive orange color and size. It has various subspecies and is sensitive to climate change, showing population declines associated with warming trends.

Physical Characteristics

The Aphrodite fritillary is an orange-colored butterfly with rows of dark dots or chevrons at the wing edges and black or brown lines more proximally. The ventral sides of the wings are also orange with several rows of white dots. Its wingspan ranges between 51 and 73 mm.

Identification Tips

A prominent black spot near the rear of the front wing discal cell helps distinguish this species from similar species like the Great Spangled Fritillary, which usually lacks this spot. Males of Speyeria aphrodite lack prominent black scaling along the cubital and medial veins found in males of Speyeria atlantis and Speyeria cybele. The eyes of male Aphrodite are brownish (may look slightly yellowish or reddish) in contrast to gray eyes of other similar species.

Habitat

Rocky Mountains from British Columbia to Utah and eastward to southern Canada and northern U.S., southward along eastern mountains to northern Georgia.

Distribution

Found across North America, particularly in the Rocky Mountains and eastern regions down to northern Georgia.

Diet

Larvae feed on the leaves of various violets (Viola species).

Life Cycle

Includes stages as an egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis), and adult butterfly. Life cycle details not specifically mentioned.

Reproduction

Details of reproductive behavior not specifically mentioned, generally includes mating and laying eggs on host plants.

Ecosystem Role

Part of the ecological community as a pollinator and prey for various predators.