Arctic Fritillary

Boloria chariclea

The Arctic Fritillary is a beautiful butterfly with bright orange and black patterns. It flutters around in cold, northern areas, bringing color to the chilly landscape.

Habitat: Tundra and mountain regions

Appearance

The Arctic Fritillary is a small to medium-sized butterfly with vibrant orange wings patterned boldly with black spots and lines. Its undersides are a duller, mottled orange and brown, often with distinctive silvery or cream-colored spots, which helps it blend into its rocky, lichen-covered Arctic habitat. It stands out from other fritillaries by its specific tundra adaptations and markings.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyNymphalidaeGenusBoloria

Arctic Fritillary

Interesting facts

Even on cloudy days, these tough butterflies can find enough energy to flutter about!

Its amazing wing patterns help it camouflage perfectly on tundra rocks and lichens!

Sometimes, they rest on the ground sideways to catch extra warmth from the sun!

Wow, these butterflies live further north than almost any other butterfly on Earth!

Special abilities

Arctic Fritillary can absorb heat from the sun because its dark wing patterns help it warm up quickly in cold Arctic air.

Arctic Fritillary larvae have special chemicals in their bodies that act like antifreeze, helping them survive freezing winter temperatures.

Arctic Fritillary caterpillars can take two or more years to fully grow, allowing them to complete their life cycle in short, cold summers.

Measurements & details

Wingspan: 30-45 mm
Size: 15-20 mm
Lifespan: 10-30 days
Flight Speed: 10 km/h
Leg Count: 6

Diet & Feeding

Adults sip sweet nectar; caterpillars munch on Arctic plant leaves.

Age differences: Larvae feed on leaves of various low-growing Arctic plants, while adults primarily feed on nectar.

Primary Foods

Nectar from Arctic wildflowers
Arctic Willow leaves
Bilberry leaves
Bog Cranberry leaves

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

depends on

Arctic Willow

Salix arctica

Larvae feed on its leaves for growth and energy.

pollinates

Lingonberry

Vaccinium vitis-idaea

Adults visit flowers for nectar, helping spread pollen.

eaten by

Snow Bunting

Plectrophenax nivalis

Adult butterflies can be a food source for these tundra birds.

Traits

Colorful

Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.

Herbivorous

This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.

Pollinator Magnet

Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.

Mountain

This habitat trait identifies species found in mountainous regions, characterized by high elevation, steep slopes, and varying climate zones.

Tundra

This habitat trait refers to species inhabiting tundras, which are treeless biomes characterized by permafrost, cold temperatures, and low-growing vegetation.