Speyeria carolae

(dos Passos & Grey, 1942)

Carole's fritillary

Speyeria carolae, known as Carole's fritillary, is a to the Charleston Mountains of Clark County, Nevada. Described in 1942 by dos Passos and Grey, this is notable for its extremely restricted range, having been recorded only from this single mountain range. fly from mid-June to September in a single . The species is closely associated with Viola charlestonensis, which serves as the sole known larval plant.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Speyeria carolae: //ˈspaɪəriə kəˈroʊlaɪ//

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Identification

Distinguished from other Speyeria by its exclusive occurrence in the Charleston Mountains of Nevada. The combination of geographic restriction, period (mid-June to September), and association with Viola charlestonensis as larval supports identification. may be separated from sympatric fritillaries by specific wing pattern elements, though detailed diagnostic characters require additional study.

Appearance

Wingspan ranges from 69–86 mm. As a member of the greater fritillary group (Speyeria), likely display the characteristic orange and black wing patterning with silvery spots on the wing surfaces, though specific coloration details for this are not documented in available sources.

Habitat

Mountain slopes, foothills, and forest openings within the Charleston Mountains. The is characterized by montane conditions supporting of the larval plant Viola charlestonensis.

Distribution

to the Charleston Mountains of Clark County, Nevada, USA. No other have been documented.

Seasonality

are active from mid-June to September. The has one per year.

Diet

Larvae feed on leaves of Viola charlestonensis. feeding habits are not documented in available sources.

Host Associations

Viola charlestonensis - larval plantsole documented ; larvae feed on leaves

Life Cycle

are laid in late summer. First-instar larvae hatch and enter hibernation without feeding, or feed briefly before . Larvae resume feeding on fresh violet leaves in spring, then pupate and emerge as in early summer. This cycle with winter is characteristic of the Speyeria.

Ecological Role

As a pollen and nectar feeder in adulthood, likely contributes to pollination of montane flowering plants. Larval herbivory on Viola charlestonensis represents a specialized plant-insect interaction in this isolated mountain system.

Human Relevance

The has a MONA/Hodges number of 4456.1, used in North American lepidopteran classification systems. Its extreme geographic restriction makes it a potential subject for conservation concern, though no formal status is documented in available sources.

Similar Taxa

Speyeria cybeleShares orange and black coloration and silvery spots, but occurs across northern North America rather than being restricted to Nevada; uses different Viola as
Speyeria atlantisSimilar in appearance and , but distributed in eastern and western North America with different plant associations; does not occur in the Charleston Mountains

More Details

Taxonomic Note

GBIF lists Speyeria carolae as a synonym of Speyeria coronis, though it is treated as a valid in other sources. The taxonomic status requires further clarification.

Conservation Significance

The extremely restricted range of this (single mountain range) makes it inherently vulnerable to alteration, climate change, and stochastic events, though no formal conservation assessment was found in available sources.