Edwards's Fritillary
Common NameEdwards's Fritillary
Scientific NameSpeyeria edwardsii
FamilyNymphalidae
SubfamilyHeliconiinae
Wingspan (mm)60
Wing Patternspotted
Primary Colorsorange, black, white
HabitatOpen woodlands, prairies, montane meadows, sagebrush steppe
Geographic RangeWestern North America, from southern Canada through the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains to Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming
Host PlantsViola spp. (violets)
Flight PeriodLate June to August
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesFemales lay eggs on or near host violets. Larvae hatch and overwinter as first instars, emerging in spring to feed on violet leaves before pupating. Adults emerge in summer.
Identification TipsDistinguished by the absence of silver spots on the underside of the hindwing (replaced by tan or brown patches) and the prominent, bold black markings on the upperside compared to other fritillaries.
Description
A medium-sized butterfly with bright orange-brown wings heavily marked with bold black spots and lines, and a distinctive row of black-rimmed white spots along the outer margin.
