# Eurasian Silver-bordered Fritillary (*Boloria selene*) The Eurasian Silver-bordered Fritillary is a beautiful butterfly with orange and black patterns. It loves to flutter around flowers and is often seen in sunny meadows during the summer. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Meadows ![Eurasian Silver-bordered Fritillary](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Boloria2.JPG&width=800) Photo: N p holmes, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Boloria2.JPG) ## Appearance The Eurasian Silver-bordered Fritillary is a medium-sized butterfly with bright orange upperwings adorned with bold black spots and markings. Its most distinctive feature is the underside of its hindwings, which showcase a beautiful pattern of reddish-brown, yellow, and cream patches, prominently edged with metallic silver-white spots. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Nymphalidae - **Genus:** Boloria ## Interesting facts - Did you know the 'silver' on its wings are tiny, shiny scales that catch the light? Wow! - Its caterpillars are picky eaters, only munching on violet leaves and nothing else! - This butterfly loves damp places and often flutters near marshy fields or stream banks. - When it rests, it often holds its wings together to show off its stunning silver undersides! ## Special abilities - **Nectar Navigator:** Eurasian Silver-bordered Fritillary has a long proboscis that helps them sip sweet nectar from deep inside flowers. - **Host Plant Finder:** Eurasian Silver-bordered Fritillary can taste with its feet, helping them find the perfect violet leaves for their caterpillars. - **Patterned Camouflage:** Eurasian Silver-bordered Fritillary has intricate wing patterns that help them blend into flowery meadows and avoid predators. - **Shape Shifter:** Eurasian Silver-bordered Fritillary can transform from a spiky caterpillar to a beautiful winged butterfly through complete metamorphosis. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 30-46 mm - **Size:** 15-20 mm - **Lifespan:** 10-20 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Caterpillars munch on violets, while adult butterflies sip sweet flower nectar. - **Age differences:** Larvae eat only violet leaves, but adults drink nectar from various flowers. - **Primary Foods:** Violet leaves, Thistle nectar, Knapweed nectar, Ragged-robin nectar - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Marsh Violet (*Viola palustris*) — Larvae feed exclusively on its leaves. - **Pollinates:** [Creeping Thistle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/creeping-thistle) (*Cirsium arvense*) — Adults drink nectar, helping to spread pollen. - **Eaten by:** [Great Tit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-tit) (*Parus major*) — Birds like this may prey on adult butterflies. ## Traits - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [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. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [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 and don't try to catch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Eurasian Silver-bordered 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 Eurasian Silver-bordered Fritillary's wingspan? 30-46 mm ### How big is Eurasian Silver-bordered Fritillary? 15-20 mm ### How long does Eurasian Silver-bordered Fritillary live? 10-20 days ### What does Eurasian Silver-bordered Fritillary eat? Caterpillars munch on violets, while adult butterflies sip sweet flower nectar. ### Where is Eurasian Silver-bordered Fritillary usually found? Meadows ### How does Eurasian Silver-bordered Fritillary hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does Eurasian Silver-bordered Fritillary have? 6 ## 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: [Eurasian Silver-bordered Fritillary Facts — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eurasian-silver-bordered-fritillary)