# Hydaspe Fritillary (*Argynnis hydaspe*) The Hydaspe Fritillary is a beautiful butterfly with orange and black wings. It flutters gracefully in gardens and meadows, bringing joy to everyone who sees it. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Meadows ![Hydaspe Fritillary](https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/152011/medium.jpg) Photo: Bill Bouton, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/152011) ## Appearance The Hydaspe Fritillary has vibrant orange wings adorned with intricate black spots and lines. Its most distinguishing feature is the underside of its hindwings, which displays striking silver-white spots against a reddish-brown and pale yellow background, making it distinct from other fritillaries. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Nymphalidae - **Genus:** Speyeria ## Interesting facts - Hydaspe Fritillary often 'basks' in the sun to warm up its wings before it can fly! - Its caterpillars wear a spiky coat of armor to protect themselves from hungry birds! - Many butterflies, including this one, taste with their feet to find yummy plants! - This butterfly spends winter as a tiny caterpillar, hiding under leaves until spring! ## Special abilities - **Hidden Underwing:** Hydaspe Fritillary has uniquely patterned underwings that help them blend into tree bark when resting, making them harder for predators to spot. - **Violet Tracker:** Hydaspe Fritillary can detect specific chemicals from violet plants, which helps them find the perfect leaves for their caterpillars to eat. - **Nectar Sipper:** The Hydaspe Fritillary has a long, straw-like proboscis that helps them sip sweet nectar deep inside flowers for energy. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 45-65 mm - **Size:** 20-30 mm - **Lifespan:** 14-30 days - **Flight Speed:** 15 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adults sip flower nectar; caterpillars munch on violet leaves. - **Age differences:** Larvae (caterpillars) eat violet leaves, while adult butterflies drink nectar from flowers. - **Primary Foods:** flower nectar, violet leaves, thistle nectar, milkweed nectar - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Depends on:** western violet (*Viola adunca*) — Its caterpillars feed exclusively on their leaves. - **Eaten by:** [black-billed magpie](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-billed-magpie) (*Pica hudsonia*) — Birds often prey on adult butterflies and caterpillars. - **Pollinates:** Canada thistle (*Cirsium arvense*) — Adults visit thistle flowers to drink their nectar. ## Traits - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [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 and don't try to catch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Hydaspe 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 Hydaspe Fritillary's wingspan? 45-65 mm ### How big is Hydaspe Fritillary? 20-30 mm ### How long does Hydaspe Fritillary live? 14-30 days ### How fast can Hydaspe Fritillary fly? 15 km/h ### What does Hydaspe Fritillary eat? Adults sip flower nectar; caterpillars munch on violet leaves. ### Where is Hydaspe Fritillary usually found? Meadows ### How does Hydaspe Fritillary hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Lower Cushman Dam](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lower-cushman-dam) — Washington, US · Historic Site - [Valhalla Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/valhalla-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park - [Mountain Home Grove](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mountain-home-grove) — California, US · Forest - [Cypress Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cypress-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park - [Myra-Bellevue Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/myra-bellevue-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park [View all places to see Hydaspe Fritillary](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/hydaspe-fritillary) ## 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: [Hydaspe Fritillary: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/hydaspe-fritillary)