# 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. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Tundra and mountain regions ![Arctic Fritillary](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Boloria_chariclea_8585.JPG&width=800) Photo: Walter Siegmund (talk), CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Boloria_chariclea_8585.JPG) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Nymphalidae - **Genus:** Boloria ## 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 - **Solar Panel Wings:** Arctic Fritillary can absorb heat from the sun because its dark wing patterns help it warm up quickly in cold Arctic air. - **Anti-Freeze Blood:** Arctic Fritillary larvae have special chemicals in their bodies that act like antifreeze, helping them survive freezing winter temperatures. - **Arctic Marathoner:** 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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lingonberry) (*Vaccinium vitis-idaea*) — Adults visit flowers for nectar, helping spread pollen. - **Eaten by:** [Snow Bunting](https://www.snappit.app/explore/snow-bunting) (*Plectrophenax nivalis*) — Adult butterflies can be a food source for these tundra birds. ## Traits - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Mountain](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/mountain): This habitat trait identifies species found in mountainous regions, characterized by high elevation, steep slopes, and varying climate zones. - [Tundra](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/tundra): This habitat trait refers to species inhabiting tundras, which are treeless biomes characterized by permafrost, cold temperatures, and low-growing vegetation. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch butterflies from a distance so you don't scare them away. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Arctic Fritillary? Compare the wing outline, spots, bands, eyespots and wing edges. The underside can look completely different from the top. Check for tails, the antennae and where the markings sit instead of relying on color alone. Butterfly Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Arctic Fritillary's wingspan? 30-45 mm ### How big is Arctic Fritillary? 15-20 mm ### How long does Arctic Fritillary live? 10-30 days ### How fast can Arctic Fritillary fly? 10 km/h ### What does Arctic Fritillary eat? Adults sip sweet nectar; caterpillars munch on Arctic plant leaves. ### Where is Arctic Fritillary usually found? Tundra and mountain regions ### How does Arctic Fritillary hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Bremner Historic Mining District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bremner-historic-mining-district) — Alaska, US · Historic District - [Mount Washington State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mount-washington-state-park) — New Hampshire, US · State Park - [Cathedral Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cathedral-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park [View all places to see Arctic Fritillary](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/arctic-fritillary) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Arctic Fritillary: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/arctic-fritillary)