Hodges#4450
Speyeria cybele
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Superfamily: Papilionoidea
- Family: Nymphalidae
- Subfamily: Heliconiinae
- Tribe: Argynnini
- Genus: Speyeria
- Species: cybele
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Speyeria cybele: //spaɪˈɪəriə sɪˈbiːli//
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Images
Summary
The great spangled fritillary (Speyeria cybele) is a North American butterfly of the family Nymphalidae, characterized by its large wings and orange color, prevalent across many regions of North America except for the southernmost states.
Physical Characteristics
Wingspan ranges from 62 to 88 mm (2.4 to 3.5 in). Orange colour above with five black dashes near forewing base and several irregular black dashes at the base of the hindwing. Two rows of black crescents along the edges of the wings. Below, forewing is yellowish orange with black marks and silver spots; hindwing is reddish brown with silver spots, a broad yellow band, and silver triangles.
Identification Tips
Females are generally darker than males. Brightness in the wings increases towards the western part of its range. Distinguished from Aphrodite and Atlantis fritillaries by a wide light submarginal band on the hindwing and black dashes on the margins instead of black spots.
Habitat
Moist meadows and woodland edges.
Distribution
Covers a wide range from southern Canada to northern California on the west and to North Carolina on the east.
Diet
Larvae feed on various species of native violets including Viola rotundifolia, Viola fimbriatula, and Viola sororia.
Tags
- butterfly
- Speyeria cybele
- Nymphalidae
- North America