# Lesser Marbled Fritillary (*Brenthis ino*) The Lesser Marbled Fritillary is a beautiful butterfly with orange and black patterns on its wings. It loves to flutter around flowers in sunny places, making nature colorful and fun! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Lesser Marbled Fritillary](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Brenthis_ino.jpeg&width=800) Photo: CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Brenthis_ino.jpeg) ## Appearance The Lesser Marbled Fritillary has bright orange-brown upper wings marked with distinct dark brown spots and wavy lines. Its hindwings on the underside feature a striking marbled pattern of pale yellow, white, and reddish-brown, making it visually unique among fritillaries. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Nymphalidae - **Genus:** Brenthis ## Interesting facts - Its caterpillars wear spiky coats, making them look like tiny, furry dragons! - The tiny eggs are laid one by one, often near the food plants its future babies will eat. - This butterfly's wings are like solar panels, soaking up sun to get energy for flying. - When it rests, its marbled underwings help it disappear against bark or dry leaves. ## Special abilities - **Sun Power Wings:** Lesser Marbled Fritillary can warm up quickly by basking because its dark wing patterns efficiently absorb sunlight, helping it fly. - **Leaf Eater:** Lesser Marbled Fritillary caterpillars can munch on tough violet leaves because their strong mandibles are adapted for chewing. - **Flower Finder:** Lesser Marbled Fritillaries can locate nectar-rich flowers using their keen eyesight and sense of smell to fuel their flights. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 35-45 mm - **Size:** 18-22 mm - **Lifespan:** 14-28 days - **Flight Speed:** 12 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Caterpillars munch on violet leaves, while adult butterflies sip sweet nectar from various flowers. - **Age differences:** Yes, larvae eat plant leaves, while adults feed on flower nectar. - **Primary Foods:** Viola species (violets), Thistle nectar, Knapweed nectar, Mint nectar - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Depends on:** [Wild Pansy](https://www.snappit.app/explore/wild-pansy) (*Viola tricolor*) — Caterpillars feed on its leaves for growth. - **Pollinates:** [Creeping Thistle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/creeping-thistle) (*Cirsium arvense*) — Adults feed on its nectar and help transfer pollen. - **Eaten by:** [Great Tit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-tit) (*Parus major*) — Birds like this may prey on adult butterflies. - **Eaten by:** European Garden Spider (*Araneus diadematus*) — Spiders often catch butterflies in their webs. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [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 Butterflies are gentle and safe to watch. Just enjoy looking at them without touching. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Lesser Marbled 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 Lesser Marbled Fritillary's wingspan? 35-45 mm ### How big is Lesser Marbled Fritillary? 18-22 mm ### How long does Lesser Marbled Fritillary live? 14-28 days ### How fast can Lesser Marbled Fritillary fly? 12 km/h ### What does Lesser Marbled Fritillary eat? Caterpillars munch on violet leaves, while adult butterflies sip sweet nectar from various flowers. ### Where is Lesser Marbled Fritillary usually found? Grasslands ### How does Lesser Marbled Fritillary hunt? Foraging ## 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: [Lesser Marbled Fritillary: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lesser-marbled-fritillary)