# 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. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 99 - **Habitat:** Meadows - **Also known as:** Cybele Fritillary, Great Spangled Butterfly ![Great Spangled Fritillary](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426216/objects/2059.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Nymphalidae - **Genus:** Speyeria ## 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 - **Nectar Siphon:** Great Spangled Fritillary has a long proboscis that helps them sip sweet nectar from deep inside flowers. - **Violet Vision:** Great Spangled Fritillary larvae can eat tough violet leaves because they have strong mandibles for chewing. - **Disguise Dazzle:** 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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-blue-violet) (*Viola sororia*) — Larval food source - **Pollinates:** [Common Milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) — Adult nectar source - **Eaten by:** [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) — Common predator - **Eaten by:** [Garden Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/garden-spider) (*Argiope aurantia*) — Can trap adults ## 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. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [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 Butterflies are safe to watch, but don't try to catch them. They like to fly free! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Great Spangled 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 Great Spangled Fritillary's wingspan? 60-100 mm ### How big is Great Spangled Fritillary? 30-40 mm ### How long does Great Spangled Fritillary live? 14-30 days ### How fast can Great Spangled Fritillary fly? 15 km/h ### What does Great Spangled Fritillary eat? Adults sip flower nectar, while their tiny caterpillars munch on violet leaves. ### Where is Great Spangled Fritillary usually found? Meadows ### How does Great Spangled Fritillary hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Advance Mills](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/advance-mills) — Virginia, US · Neighborhood - [Battle Creek Cypress Swamp Sanctuary](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/battle-creek-cypress-swamp-sanctuary) — Maryland, US · Nature Reserve - [Cedarville State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cedarville-state-forest) — Maryland, US · Forest - [Chantilly Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chantilly-park) — Virginia, US · Park - [Hoffner Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/hoffner-historic-district) — Ohio, US · Historic District - [Hungry Mother State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/hungry-mother-state-park) — Virginia, US · State Park [View all places to see Great Spangled Fritillary](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/great-spangled-fritillary) ## Watch - [Play video: Great Spangled Fritillary](https://www.snappit.app/videos/great-spangled-fritillary) - [YouTube](https://youtube.com/watch?v=6X1ok60JNfI) ## 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: [Great Spangled Fritillary: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-spangled-fritillary)