Great Spangled Fritillary

Argynnis cybele

The Great Spangled Fritillary is a beautiful butterfly with orange and black spots. It flutters around gardens and fields, bringing joy to everyone who sees it.

Habitat: Meadows

Appearance

The Great Spangled Fritillary has vibrant tawny-orange wings with distinct black spots and wavy lines. Its most unique feature is a striking row of bright silver spots on the underside of its hindwings, making it sparkle in flight.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyNymphalidaeGenusSpeyeria

Great Spangled Fritillary

Interesting facts

Female Fritillaries lay eggs only on or near violet plants for their tiny caterpillars!

Males have fuzzy scales on their forewings to release special scents and attract females!

These butterflies love to drink sweet sap from trees, not just flower nectar!

Unlike many butterflies, they spend winter as tiny caterpillars, hidden away waiting for spring!

Special abilities

Great Spangled Fritillary has a long proboscis that helps them sip sweet nectar from deep inside flowers.

Great Spangled Fritillary larvae can eat tough violet leaves because they have strong mandibles for chewing.

Great Spangled Fritillary has silver spots on its underwings that help them blend in or startle predators.

Measurements & details

Wingspan: 60-100 mm
Size: 30-40 mm
Lifespan: 14-30 days
Flight Speed: 15 km/h
Leg Count: 6

Diet & Feeding

Adults sip flower nectar, while their tiny caterpillars munch on violet leaves.

Age differences: Larvae eat violet leaves, while adults sip nectar from various flowers and tree sap.

Primary Foods

Flower Nectar
Tree Sap
Violet Leaves

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

eats

Common Blue Violet

Viola sororia

Larval food source

pollinates

Common Milkweed

Asclepias syriaca

Adult nectar source

eaten by

Blue Jay

Cyanocitta cristata

Common predator

eaten by

Garden Spider

Argiope aurantia

Can trap adults

Traits

Spotted

Discover animals and plants adorned with beautiful dots and splotches, making them unique and easy to spot!

Colorful

Discover amazing plants and animals that show off a dazzling array of bright and beautiful hues! They use their vibrant colors to attract attention or send signals.

Grassland

These wide-open spaces are covered in grasses, often home to grazing animals and incredible predators! Experience the vastness of the plains.

Herbivorous

Meet the peaceful munchers and grazers who find all their nourishment from plants, leaves, and fruits. They transform plant energy into life!

Pollinator Magnet

Discover plants that are irresistible to our pollinator friends! These beauties are super attractive to bees, butterflies, and other helpful creatures, creating a buzzing hub of activity.

Forest

These lush habitats are filled with countless trees, offering homes to a huge variety of plants and animals! Immerse yourself in the green canopy.

Diurnal

Wake up with creatures that are most active during the day! They love the sunshine for finding food, playing, and exploring.

Migratory

Follow incredible journeys across the world! These animals travel far and wide at different times of the year, often to find better food or warmer places.

Pollinator

Meet the busy helpers of the plant world! These creatures carry pollen from one flower to another, helping plants make seeds and grow fruits and vegetables.