Fritillary
Guides
Boloria
Lesser Fritillaries
Boloria is a genus of brush-footed butterflies in the family Nymphalidae, commonly known as the lesser fritillaries. The genus includes approximately 50 species distributed across the Holarctic region, with greatest diversity in boreal and montane habitats. The related genus Clossiana is now generally treated as part of Boloria, though it may warrant subgeneric recognition. Species in this genus are typically associated with wetlands, peat bogs, damp meadows, and forest clearings, and many have highly specific larval host plant requirements.
Boloria alaskensis
Alaskan Fritillary, Mountain Fritillary
Boloria alaskensis is a fritillary butterfly in the family Nymphalidae, described by William Jacob Holland in 1900. It occurs in North America and North European Russia. The species is very similar to Boloria pales, requiring careful identification. Two subspecies are recognized: B. a. alaskensis and B. a. halli. The larvae feed on specific host plants in the genus Polygonum.
Boloria astarte
Astarte Fritillary
Boloria astarte, commonly known as the Astarte fritillary, is a butterfly species in the family Nymphalidae. It has a broad distribution across northwestern North America and northeastern Siberia. The species exhibits a wingspan of 42–51 mm and is active from mid-June to mid-August. Its larvae feed exclusively on spotted saxifrage (Saxifraga bronchialis).
Boloria chariclea
Arctic fritillary, purplish fritillary
Boloria chariclea is a Holarctic butterfly in the family Nymphalidae, known as the Arctic fritillary or purplish fritillary. It inhabits cold northern environments including tundra, taiga, alpine meadows, and acid bogs. The species exhibits a two-year life cycle in some populations, with larvae hibernating during first and second winters. Multiple subspecies are recognized across its broad range, including the endemic B. c. montinus isolated in the White Mountains of New Hampshire for approximately 9,000 years.
Boloria chariclea butleri
Butler's Fritillary
Boloria chariclea butleri is a subspecies of fritillary butterfly in the family Nymphalidae, commonly known as Butler's Fritillary. It belongs to a genus of butterflies typically associated with northern and montane habitats. The species Boloria chariclea has a Holarctic distribution, with subspecies butleri occurring in North America. Like other Boloria species, it is likely associated with moist meadow and tundra-edge habitats where larval host plants in the Violaceae family occur.
Boloria chariclea grandis
Purple Lesser Fritillary
Boloria chariclea grandis is a subspecies of fritillary butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It is currently classified under the genus Boloria, though some sources place it in the genus Clossiana. The subspecies is recognized as a synonym in some taxonomic databases. It belongs to a group of butterflies commonly known as lesser fritillaries, which are typically associated with northern and montane habitats.
Boloria chariclea montinus
White Mountain Fritillary
The White Mountain Fritillary is a critically imperiled subspecies endemic to the alpine zone of the Presidential Range in New Hampshire's White Mountains. A glacial relict isolated for approximately 9,000 years, it represents one of the rarest butterfly populations in eastern North America. Systematic point-count surveys in 2012-2013 found highest densities in herbaceous-snowbank plant communities, though the more widespread heath-shrub-rush community likely supports the majority of adults. The subspecies is easily alarmed by human approach and exhibits variable detectability depending on weather conditions.
Boloria chariclea rainieri
Tacoma Fritillary
Boloria chariclea rainieri is a subspecies of fritillary butterfly in the family Nymphalidae, known by the common name Tacoma Fritillary. It was described by Barnes and McDunnough in 1913. GBIF lists this name as a synonym, with the accepted name placed in the genus Clossiana as Clossiana chariclea. The subspecies appears to be associated with the Pacific Northwest region of North America based on its epithet.
Boloria epithore
Pacific Fritillary
Boloria epithore, the Pacific Fritillary, is a small to medium-sized fritillary butterfly endemic to western North America. It is distinguished from other Boloria species by its geographic restriction to the Pacific coastal region and associated mountain ranges. The species completes its life cycle in association with Viola ocellata as the sole documented larval host plant. Adults are active during a relatively brief flight period in early summer.
Boloria eunomia
Bog Fritillary, Ocellate Bog Fritillary
Boloria eunomia is a circumboreal fritillary butterfly distributed across the Holarctic in tundra, forest-tundra, and open acid bog habitats. Adults are orange-brown with distinctive round silver spots on the hindwing underside, a key diagnostic feature. The species exhibits ecotypic variation: meadow populations feed primarily on Polygonum bistorta, while bog populations utilize Ericaceae including Vaccinium species. It is univoltine with adults flying from late May through July depending on latitude. The species is considered vulnerable in parts of its range due to habitat loss from drainage, recreational development, and climate change.
Boloria freija
Freija fritillary
Boloria freija is a circumboreal fritillary butterfly found in Arctic and subarctic habitats across the Northern Hemisphere. The species exhibits a two-year life cycle, with larvae feeding on specific bog and tundra plants including cloudberry and various Ericaceae. Adults are active during brief summer periods in northern latitudes.
Boloria freija freija
Freija Fritillary
The Freija Fritillary (Boloria freija freija) is a subspecies of butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It is found in both Europe and North America, with distribution records from Belarus and broader European regions as well as North American localities. As a member of the genus Boloria, it shares characteristics with other fritillary butterflies, including complex life cycles with specific host plant relationships. The subspecies is relatively poorly documented compared to congeners such as Boloria selene.
Boloria frigga
Frigga Fritillary
Boloria frigga is a circumboreal fritillary butterfly distributed across northern bogs and tundra habitats. The species exhibits a biennial life cycle, producing one generation every two years. Larvae feed on specific bog plants including cloudberry (Rubus chamaemorus) and small cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccos). The species name derives from Frigg, a goddess in Norse mythology.
Boloria kriemhild
Relict Fritillary
Boloria kriemhild, the relict fritillary, is a North American butterfly species in the family Nymphalidae. It is a grassland-associated fritillary within the genus Boloria, which includes other species such as the silver-bordered fritillary (B. selene) and small pearl-bordered fritillary (B. selene). The species has been recorded in 212 iNaturalist observations. Its common name "relict" suggests association with remnant or isolated habitats, though specific ecological details remain limited in published sources.
Boloria natazhati
Beringian fritillary, cryptic fritillary, Pleistocene fritillary
Boloria natazhati is a small fritillary butterfly endemic to northwestern North America. It is found in alpine and subalpine habitats from northwestern Canada to northern British Columbia. The species has a narrow flight period in mid-summer and is associated with rocky, open terrain. Its common names reference its Beringian distribution and cryptic appearance.
Boloria polaris
Polaris Fritillary
Boloria polaris is a high-arctic butterfly in the family Nymphalidae, occurring across the northernmost regions of the Palearctic and Nearctic. It is notable for its extreme northern distribution, being one of only six butterfly species recorded on Canada's Ellesmere Island. The species exhibits a two-year life cycle, with adults flying in late June to mid-July. Its larvae feed on specific tundra plants including Dryas octopetala and Vaccinium species.
Euphydryas
checkerspot butterflies
Euphydryas is a genus of checkerspot butterflies in the family Nymphalidae. The genus includes species that have been extensively studied in population biology and conservation, with some species subject to reintroduction efforts. Several species are declining across their ranges, with climate change identified as a significant factor. Larvae typically feed on specific host plants and construct silk webs.
Euptoieta
fritillary butterflies
Euptoieta is a genus of fritillary butterflies in the subfamily Heliconiinae, distributed throughout the Neotropical region and extending northward into temperate North America. The genus includes approximately eight described species, with Euptoieta claudia (variegated fritillary) and Euptoieta hegesia (Mexican fritillary) being the most widely recognized. Members of this genus are characterized by their orange and black wing patterns and their ecological association with Viola (violet) species as larval host plants.
Euptoieta hegesia
Mexican Fritillary
Euptoieta hegesia, commonly known as the Mexican Fritillary, is a butterfly species in the family Nymphalidae found throughout North and South America. It is characterized by bright orange upper wings with black spotting and yellow-orange undersides lacking submarginal spots. The species has a wingspan of 2.5 to 3 inches and is active year-round in Mexico, with seasonal flight periods in the southern United States. Larvae feed on passionflowers and other host plants, displaying distinctive red coloration with silver spots and black spines.
Speyeria
greater fritillaries
Speyeria is a genus of approximately 19 species of butterflies in the family Nymphalidae, commonly known as greater fritillaries. The genus was reestablished as separate from Argynnis in 2017 based on phylogenetic evidence. Three species occur in Eurasia and 16 in North America. Species are univoltine, with larvae feeding exclusively on native violets (Viola spp.) and adults nectaring on diverse flowers. Several species and subspecies are threatened or endangered due to habitat loss and climate change.
Speyeria adiaste
unsilvered fritillary, adiaste fritillary
Speyeria adiaste is a California-endemic fritillary butterfly in the family Nymphalidae, distinguished from congeners by the unsilvered hindwing spots that give it its common name. The species occurs in two disjunct populations in coastal California mountains. Adults feed on flower nectar and larvae feed on Viola species. Mark-recapture studies of the subspecies S. a. clemencei have revealed extremely limited adult dispersal and declining population trends, highlighting conservation concerns for this isolated endemic.
Speyeria adiaste atossa
Atossa fritillary
Speyeria adiaste atossa, the Atossa fritillary, is an extinct subspecies of the unsilvered fritillary butterfly. 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 population decline. The subspecies was first described by William Henry Edwards in 1864. Speyeria is now treated as a subgenus of Argynnis.
Speyeria aphrodite
Speyeria aphrodite is a butterfly species in the family Nymphalidae, native to North America. It belongs to a genus commonly known as greater fritillaries, characterized by their orange-brown wing coloration with black markings and silver spots on the underside. The species has been documented in Canadian provinces including Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan, as well as in Vermont, USA.
Speyeria atlantis
Atlantis fritillary
Speyeria atlantis, the Atlantis fritillary, is a North American brush-footed butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It ranges from Newfoundland and Labrador across northern Canada to British Columbia, and south through the northern United States to Colorado and West Virginia. The species is listed as endangered in Connecticut and shows sensitivity to climate warming trends. Research demonstrates that adults rely primarily on visual senses to navigate to suitable habitat patches across fragmented landscapes.
Speyeria atlantis hollandi
Holland's Atlantis Fritillary
Speyeria atlantis hollandi is a subspecies of the Atlantis fritillary butterfly, first described by Chermock in 1940. It belongs to the brush-footed butterfly family Nymphalidae. Research on the nominate species Speyeria atlantis has demonstrated that this butterfly relies primarily on visual perception for navigation to suitable habitat patches, with studies showing that flash-induced blindness severely impairs homing ability even at short distances.
Speyeria callippe calgariana
Callippe Fritillary
Speyeria callippe calgariana is a subspecies of fritillary butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It is currently recognized as a synonym of Speyeria nevadensis. The subspecies was described by McDunnough in 1924. Like other Speyeria species, it belongs to a genus characterized by close ecological relationships with violet host plants and distinctive orange and black wing patterns.
Speyeria callippe callippe
Callippe Fritillary
Speyeria callippe callippe is a subspecies of fritillary butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It belongs to the greater fritillary genus Speyeria, which includes species known for their close ecological association with violets (Viola spp.) as larval host plants. The subspecies is native to western North America. Related Speyeria species have been demonstrated to rely primarily on visual cues for navigation to suitable habitat patches.
Speyeria callippe comstocki
Comstock's Callippe Fritillary
Speyeria callippe comstocki is a subspecies of the Callippe fritillary butterfly, endemic to the Canadian prairies. It belongs to the greater fritillary group (genus Speyeria), characterized by silvery spots on the wing undersides and obligate associations with violet host plants. The subspecies is distinguished from other S. callippe populations by geographic isolation in the northern Great Plains. Like other Speyeria species, adults are strong fliers that rely primarily on vision for habitat navigation.
Speyeria callippe gallatini
Speyeria callippe gallatini is a subspecies of fritillary butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. The taxon is currently recognized as a synonym of Speyeria nevadensis. It was described by McDunnough in 1929. No specific biological information for this subspecies is documented in the provided sources.
Speyeria callippe macaria
Speyeria callippe macaria is a subspecies of the callippe fritillary butterfly, a member of the Nymphalidae family. This subspecies was named in honor of California lepidopterist Charles "Chuck" Hageman, who conducted extensive field research on California butterflies. The species is part of the Speyeria genus, commonly known as greater fritillaries, which are characterized by their close ecological relationship with violet host plants.
Speyeria callippe meadii
Speyeria callippe meadii is a subspecies of the Callippe fritillary butterfly, a member of the brush-footed butterfly family Nymphalidae. It belongs to the greater fritillary genus Speyeria, which comprises large, orange-brown butterflies with distinctive silvery spots on the wing undersides. The subspecies was described by W.H. Edwards in 1872. Like other Speyeria fritillaries, it maintains an obligate relationship with violet plants (Viola spp.) as larval host plants.
Speyeria cybele
Great Spangled Fritillary
Speyeria cybele, the great spangled fritillary, is a large brush-footed butterfly native to North America. Adults have a wingspan of 2.25 to 4 inches, with orange-brown upper wings marked by black chevrons and distinctive silvery spots on the undersides. The species exhibits pronounced geographic variation: eastern populations are more orange, while western populations are browner. Females are slightly darker than males and have longer lifespans, often surviving into October. The butterfly has an obligate relationship with violets (Viola spp.) as larval host plants. Research has demonstrated that S. cybele relies primarily on vision for habitat detection and navigation, with flash-blinded individuals showing 30 times lower success in locating habitat patches.
Speyeria cybele charlottii
Charlottesville great spangled fritillary
Speyeria cybele charlottii is a subspecies of the great spangled fritillary butterfly, distinguished from other S. cybele populations by geographic occurrence in the eastern United States. The parent species is a large, orange and black butterfly with silvery spots on the undersides of its wings. Adults are strong, fast fliers that nectar on a wide range of flowers. The subspecific name references Charlottesville, Virginia.
Speyeria cybele cybele
Great Spangled Fritillary
Speyeria cybele cybele is the nominate subspecies of the great spangled fritillary, a large butterfly with a wingspan of 2.25 to 4 inches. Research has demonstrated that this subspecies relies primarily on visual perception for navigation to suitable habitat patches, with individuals able to locate target islands from distances up to 60 meters over water. The subspecies exhibits geographic variation in coloration, with eastern populations appearing more orange and western populations browner. Females are slightly darker than males across all populations.
Speyeria cybele krautwurmi
Great Spangled Fritillary
Speyeria cybele krautwurmi is a subspecies of the great spangled fritillary butterfly, recognized by Holland in 1931. It belongs to a species complex known for visual-based navigation to habitat patches and close ecological ties to violet host plants. The subspecies occurs in northern North America, with records from the Canadian Prairie provinces and Vermont.
Speyeria cybele leto
Great Spangled Fritillary (subspecies)
Speyeria cybele leto is a subspecies of the great spangled fritillary butterfly, a large and striking member of the brush-footed butterfly family Nymphalidae. This subspecies belongs to a species complex renowned for its silvery wing spots and close ecological association with violets as larval host plants. Research on Speyeria cybele has demonstrated that visual perception is the primary sense used for navigation to suitable habitat patches, with individuals capable of detecting and orienting toward habitat from distances of at least 60 meters. The species exhibits pronounced geographic variation in coloration, with western populations typically browner than their more orange eastern counterparts.
Speyeria cybele letona
Great Spangled Fritillary (western subspecies)
Speyeria cybele letona is a western North American subspecies of the great spangled fritillary, a large brush-footed butterfly with a wingspan of 2.25 to 4 inches. Research on Speyeria cybele indicates that visual perception is the primary sense used for navigation to suitable habitat patches, with individuals capable of detecting and navigating to target islands from distances up to 60 meters. The subspecies exhibits the orange-brown coloration typical of western populations of this species, in contrast to the more orange eastern populations.
Speyeria cybele novascotiae
Great Spangled Fritillary
Speyeria cybele novascotiae is a subspecies of the great spangled fritillary, a large brush-footed butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. This subspecies occurs in northern North America, including the Canadian provinces of Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan, as well as Vermont in the United States. Like other members of Speyeria cybele, adults exhibit strong visual-based navigation abilities to locate suitable habitat patches across fragmented landscapes.
Speyeria cybele pugetensis
great spangled fritillary
Speyeria cybele pugetensis is a western North American subspecies of the great spangled fritillary, a large orange and black butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It was described by F. Chermock and Frechin in 1947. Like other members of the Speyeria cybele complex, this subspecies exhibits strong visual navigation abilities for locating habitat patches and maintains a close ecological association with violets (Viola spp.) as larval host plants.
Speyeria egleis
Great Basin fritillary, egleis fritillary
Speyeria egleis is a medium-sized fritillary butterfly native to western North America. Adults are active from late June through August and inhabit mountain meadows, forest openings, and exposed rocky ridges. The species exhibits strong fidelity to Viola species as larval host plants. Multiple subspecies have been described across its range, reflecting geographic variation in morphology and distribution.
Speyeria hesperis
northwestern fritillary
Speyeria hesperis, the northwestern fritillary, is a butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It is relatively small for a fritillary, with distinctive bright orange uppersides in males and yellow in females. The species is found in the northwestern United States and western Canada. Its taxonomic status has been debated, with some sources treating it as a synonym of Speyeria atlantis.
Speyeria hesperis chitone
Speyeria hesperis chitone is a subspecies of fritillary butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It was described by W.H. Edwards in 1879. The taxon is currently listed as a synonym of Speyeria atlantis in GBIF records. As a member of the greater fritillary group (Speyeria), it belongs to a genus known for visual-based navigation to habitat patches and obligate larval dependence on violet family plants (Violaceae).
Speyeria hesperis dennisi
Dennis' Fritillary
Speyeria hesperis dennisi is a subspecies of fritillary butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. As a member of the genus Speyeria, it belongs to a group of large, orange and black butterflies commonly known as greater fritillaries. The subspecies epithet "dennisi" honors an individual associated with its discovery or study. Like other Speyeria species, it is likely associated with violet family plants (Violaceae) for larval development, though specific ecological details for this subspecies are not well documented in the provided sources.
Speyeria hesperis hutchinsi
Speyeria hesperis hutchinsi is a subspecies of fritillary butterfly described in 1947. It is currently treated as a synonym of Speyeria atlantis, indicating taxonomic uncertainty or reclassification. The species belongs to the genus Speyeria, commonly known as greater fritillaries, which are large, orange-brown butterflies with silvery spots on the wing undersides.
Speyeria hesperis irene
Speyeria hesperis irene is a subspecies of the Hesperis fritillary, a North American butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It belongs to the greater fritillary group within the genus Speyeria, which are medium to large butterflies with characteristic silver spots on the undersides of their wings. The subspecies designation indicates geographic variation within the broader species S. hesperis. Like other Speyeria species, it is associated with violets (Viola spp.) as larval host plants. GBIF currently lists this taxon as a synonym of Speyeria atlantis, reflecting ongoing taxonomic revision in this complex group.
Speyeria hesperis lurana
Speyeria hesperis lurana is a subspecies of the northwestern fritillary butterfly described by Passos and Grey in 1945. It belongs to the genus Speyeria, commonly known as the greater fritillaries, which are medium to large orange and black butterflies distributed across North America. The subspecific status indicates it represents a geographically isolated population with distinguishing characteristics from the nominate subspecies.
Speyeria hesperis nausicaa
Speyeria hesperis nausicaa is a subspecies of the northwestern fritillary butterfly, first described by W.H. Edwards in 1874. It is currently recognized as a synonym of Speyeria atlantis. The species belongs to the brush-footed butterfly family Nymphalidae. Research on related Speyeria species has demonstrated that visual perception is the primary sense used for navigation to suitable habitat patches.
Speyeria hesperis ratonensis
Speyeria hesperis ratonensis is a subspecies of fritillary butterfly described by Scott in 1981. It belongs to the genus Speyeria, commonly known as greater fritillaries, which are characterized by their orange and black wing patterns and violet-feeding larvae. The subspecies epithet "ratonensis" suggests an association with Raton, New Mexico or the Raton Mesa region. Like other Speyeria species, it is expected to exhibit visual-based navigation to locate suitable habitat patches, though specific studies on this subspecies are lacking.
Speyeria hesperis tetonia
Speyeria hesperis tetonia is a subspecies of fritillary butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It was described by Passos and Grey in 1945. The taxon is currently listed as a synonym of Speyeria atlantis in GBIF, indicating taxonomic uncertainty or reclassification. Like other Speyeria species, it belongs to a genus of greater fritillaries found across North America.
Speyeria hydaspe
Hydaspe fritillary
Speyeria hydaspe, the Hydaspe fritillary, is a small orange-brown butterfly of western North America. Adults are active from July through September and feed on flower nectar. The species is distinguished from similar fritillaries by its smooth, even postmedian spotband. A single brood occurs annually. Caterpillars feed on violets, particularly Viola glabella.
Speyeria mormonia bischoffii
Speyeria mormonia bischoffii is a subspecies of Mormon fritillary butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It is part of the greater fritillary genus Speyeria, which includes numerous species distributed across North America. Like other Speyeria, it likely exhibits the characteristic orange and black wing patterning with silvery spots on the undersides typical of the genus. The subspecific epithet honors an individual associated with its discovery or study.
Speyeria mormonia erinna
Mormon Fritillary
Speyeria mormonia erinna is a subspecies of the Mormon fritillary butterfly, a member of the brush-footed family Nymphalidae. Like other Speyeria species, it is closely associated with violet host plants for larval development. Research on congeneric species has demonstrated that this group relies primarily on visual cues for navigation to suitable habitat patches. The subspecies is distributed across prairie and montane regions of western Canada.
Speyeria mormonia opis
Mormon Fritillary
Speyeria mormonia opis is a subspecies of the Mormon fritillary butterfly, recognized by GBIF and Catalogue of Life as an accepted taxon. It belongs to the genus Speyeria, commonly known as the greater fritillaries. The subspecies is present in the Canadian provinces of Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. As a member of the Nymphalidae family, it shares traits with other fritillaries including a close larval association with violet host plants.
Speyeria mormonia washingtonia
Washington's Fritillary
Speyeria mormonia washingtonia is a subspecies of Mormon fritillary butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It belongs to a genus of greater fritillaries known for their close ecological association with violet host plants. As a subspecies, it represents a geographically distinct population within the broader Speyeria mormonia species complex found in western North America.
Speyeria nokomis
Nokomis fritillary
Speyeria nokomis, the Nokomis fritillary, is a North American butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. The species has a highly specialized relationship with its host plant, with larvae feeding exclusively on northern bog violet (Viola nephrophylla). It is currently recognized with nine subspecies, including the imperiled Carson Valley silverpot butterfly (S. n. carsonensis), which has experienced significant population declines. Conservation efforts focus on habitat restoration through propagation of its obligate host plant.