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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 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 pseudocarpenteri
Great Spangled Fritillary
A subspecies of the great spangled fritillary butterfly found in northern North America. Adults are strong, fast fliers with orange and black patterned wings and distinctive silvery spots on the undersides. Research on the nominate subspecies S. cybele has demonstrated that visual perception is the primary sense used for navigation to suitable habitat patches, with individuals capable of navigating from distances up to 60 meters to island habitats. Larvae feed on violet species and overwinter before completing development in spring.