Greater Fritillaries
ExploreInsects
Greater Fritillaries
Argynnis
Greater Fritillaries are beautiful butterflies with orange and black patterns. They flutter around flowers and are fun to watch as they dance in the air.
Habitat: Meadows and open fields
Appearance
The Greater Fritillaries has vibrant orange wings crisscrossed with bold black markings, giving them a distinct 'chequered' appearance. Their undersides often feature striking metallic silver or pearly spots, especially noticeable on the hindwings. This combination of bright orange and shimmering spots distinguishes them from many other butterflies.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyNymphalidaeGenusArgynnis
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Before becoming butterflies, their spiky caterpillars often munch on violet leaves, their favorite snack!
Some types of fritillaries have special metallic silver spots that shine like jewels on their wing undersides!
Their name 'Fritillary' comes from Latin for 'dice-box,' inspired by their checkered wing patterns!
They can navigate using the sun as a compass, even on cloudy days, to find their way home!
Special abilities
Ability
Sparkle Shield
Greater Fritillaries have metallic silver spots on their wing undersides that can reflect light, helping them confuse predators when resting.
Ability
Nectar Vacuum
Greater Fritillaries can unfurl a long proboscis, like a straw, to sip sweet nectar deep inside flowers for energy.
Ability
Patterned Flight
Greater Fritillaries has an erratic, 'fritillary' flight pattern, making it harder for birds to catch them in mid-air.
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 50-65 mm
- Size
- 20-30 mm
- Lifespan
- 10-30 days
- Flight Speed
- 15 km/h
- Leg Count
- 6
Diet & Feeding
Adults sip nectar from flowers, while their caterpillars munch on leaves, especially violets.
Age differences: Caterpillars eat plant leaves, but adults drink nectar from flowers using a proboscis.
Primary Foods
- Nectar
- Violet leaves
- Thistle nectar
- Bramble nectar
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Sweet Violet
Viola odorata
Larvae feed on leaves
eats
Blue Tit
Cyanistes caeruleus
Birds prey on adults/larvae
pollinates
Creeping Thistle
Cirsium arvense
Adults visit flowers for nectar
Traits
Spotted
Marked with spots or patches of a different color.
Social
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always watch butterflies from a distance so you don't scare them away.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Greater Fritillaries's wingspan?
50-65 mm
How big is Greater Fritillaries?
20-30 mm
How long does Greater Fritillaries live?
10-30 days
How fast can Greater Fritillaries fly?
15 km/h
What does Greater Fritillaries eat?
Adults sip nectar from flowers, while their caterpillars munch on leaves, especially violets.
Where is Greater Fritillaries usually found?
Meadows and open fields
How does Greater Fritillaries hunt?
Foraging
How many legs does Greater Fritillaries have?
6
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