Habitat-detection
Guides
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 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.