# Clossiana Clossiana is a beautiful butterfly known for its colorful wings. These butterflies flutter around in sunny spots and love to sip nectar from flowers. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Clossiana](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/2007_08_Nacr%C3%A9_porphyrin.jpg&width=800) Photo: Jma69, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2007_08_Nacr%C3%A9_porphyrin.jpg) ## Appearance The Clossiana is a medium-sized butterfly typically showcasing vibrant orange wings adorned with intricate black markings. Its underside often features distinctive silvery spots or patches, making it visually stand out among similar meadow species. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Nymphalidae - **Genus:** Clossiana ## Interesting facts - Many Clossiana species are named after brave figures from ancient Greek myths and legends! - Some Clossiana butterflies spend winter as tiny, camouflaged caterpillars, waiting for spring to grow! - The caterpillars of Clossiana are picky eaters, mostly munching on the leaves of violet plants! - Their name 'fritillary' comes from Latin, meaning 'chessboard,' for their checkered wing patterns! ## Special abilities - **Camouflage Cloak:** Clossiana has mottled orange and black wings that help them blend seamlessly into flowery meadows, avoiding sharp-eyed predators. - **Nectar Sipper:** Clossiana can unfurl a long proboscis to sip sweet nectar from deep flowers, providing energy for their rapid flight. - **Sun Worshipper:** Clossiana has dark body scales that help them absorb sunlight efficiently, warming their flight muscles for active days. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 30-55 mm - **Size:** 15-25 mm - **Lifespan:** 10-30 days - **Flight Speed:** 12 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adults sip flower nectar; their young caterpillars munch on specific plant leaves. - **Age differences:** Adults drink nectar, but caterpillars feed exclusively on specific plant leaves. - **Primary Foods:** Flower nectar, Violet leaves, Thistle nectar, Aster nectar - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Depends on:** [Common Dog-violet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-dog-violet) (*Viola riviniana*) — Caterpillars exclusively feed on its leaves. - **Eaten by:** Blue Tit (*Cyanistes caeruleus*) — Adult butterflies are a food source for birds. - **Pollinates:** [Creeping Thistle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/creeping-thistle) (*Cirsium arvense*) — Sips nectar, transferring pollen between flowers. - **Pollinates:** [Harebell](https://www.snappit.app/explore/harebell) (*Campanula rotundifolia*) — Visits its flowers for vital energy. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [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 Always watch butterflies from a distance so they feel safe and can fly freely. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Clossiana? 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 Clossiana's wingspan? 30-55 mm ### How big is Clossiana? 15-25 mm ### How long does Clossiana live? 10-30 days ### How fast can Clossiana fly? 12 km/h ### What does Clossiana eat? Adults sip flower nectar; their young caterpillars munch on specific plant leaves. ### Where is Clossiana usually found? Grasslands ### How does Clossiana hunt? Foraging ## 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: [Clossiana: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/clossiana)