# Atlantis Fritillary (*Argynnis atlantis*) The Atlantis Fritillary is a beautiful butterfly with orange and black spots. It flutters around in gardens and meadows, bringing color to nature. These butterflies love to sip nectar from flowers! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Meadows ![Atlantis Fritillary](https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/139566753/medium.jpeg) Photo: Kathy Richardson, CC BY 4.0 · [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/139566753) ## Appearance The Atlantis Fritillary has vibrant orange-brown wings adorned with bold black spots and lines. Its hindwings often feature striking silver spots on the underside, making it sparkle when it rests. This intricate pattern helps distinguish it from other fritillaries. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Nymphalidae - **Genus:** Speyeria ## Interesting facts - Atlantis Fritillary caterpillars can actually pause their growth to survive a cold winter! - Its dazzling silver spots on the underside of its hindwings make it truly stand out! - Male butterflies have special 'scent scales' on their wings to help them find a mate! - These fast-flying butterflies are often seen visiting colorful flowers in sunny meadows! ## Special abilities - **Speedy Dart:** Atlantis Fritillary can fly with powerful, rapid wingbeats that help them quickly evade predators like birds. - **Sun-Powered Flight:** Atlantis Fritillary has dark body hairs and wing scales that help them absorb sunlight to warm up, giving them energy to fly. - **Violet Feast:** Atlantis Fritillary caterpillars can munch on tough violet leaves, which provides them with all the energy they need to grow and transform. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 45-60 mm - **Size:** 20-30 mm - **Lifespan:** 15-30 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Young Atlantis Fritillaries munch on violet leaves, while adults sip sweet flower nectar. - **Age differences:** Larvae eat violet leaves, while adult butterflies feed on flower nectar. - **Primary Foods:** Violet leaves (larvae), Thistle nectar, Milkweed nectar, Clover nectar - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Common Blue Violet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-blue-violet) (*Viola sororia*) — Its caterpillars feed exclusively on these leaves. - **Pollinates:** [Common Milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) — Adults visit flowers for nectar, helping spread pollen. - **Eaten by:** [American Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-robin) (*Turdus migratorius*) — Birds like robins may prey on the adult butterflies. ## Traits - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [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. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [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 Butterflies are gentle and safe to watch, but remember not to touch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Atlantis 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 Atlantis Fritillary's wingspan? 45-60 mm ### How big is Atlantis Fritillary? 20-30 mm ### How long does Atlantis Fritillary live? 15-30 days ### What does Atlantis Fritillary eat? Young Atlantis Fritillaries munch on violet leaves, while adults sip sweet flower nectar. ### Where is Atlantis Fritillary usually found? Meadows ### How does Atlantis Fritillary hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does Atlantis Fritillary have? 6 ## Where to spot - [Dorchester Common Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/dorchester-common-historic-district) — New Hampshire, US · Historic District - [October Mountain State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/october-mountain-state-forest) — Massachusetts, US · Forest ## 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: [Atlantis Fritillary: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/atlantis-fritillary)