.jpg&width=800)
Meadow Fritillary
ExploreInsects
Meadow Fritillary
Boloria bellona
The Meadow Fritillary is a beautiful butterfly with orange and black patterns on its wings. It loves to flutter around meadows and fields, bringing color to nature.
Habitat: Meadows and grasslands
Appearance
The Meadow Fritillary has vibrant orange upperwings with intricate dark markings. Its underside hindwings are distinctively patterned with greenish-yellow, brown, and pearly-white spots, making it easy to identify from similar butterflies. These pearly spots often look like drops of dew.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyNymphalidaeGenusClossiana
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
It sips nectar using a long, straw-like tongue called a proboscis!
Meadow Fritillary caterpillars only eat violet leaves, making them very picky eaters!
Some Meadow Fritillaries can have two generations of butterflies in one summer!
Their wings have tiny scales that give them their beautiful colors, like dust!
Special abilities
Ability
Camouflage Cloak
Meadow Fritillary has intricate wing patterns that help them blend seamlessly into flowery meadows, hiding from hungry birds.
Ability
Nectar Detector
Meadow Fritillary can taste with its feet, helping them find the sweetest flowers for delicious nectar because of special sensors.
Ability
Violet Nursery
Meadow Fritillary can identify specific violet plants to lay eggs on, ensuring their caterpillars have the perfect food source.
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 35-50 mm
- Size
- 15-20 mm
- Lifespan
- 14-28 days
- Flight Speed
- 10-20 km/h
- Leg Count
- 6
Diet & Feeding
Adults sip sweet nectar from flowers, while their young caterpillars munch on violet leaves!
Age differences: Larvae eat specific violet plant leaves, while adults solely drink nectar from various wildflowers.
Primary Foods
- violet leaves (larvae)
- thistle nectar
- milkweed nectar
- dandelion nectar
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
depends on
Common Blue Violet
Viola sororia
Its leaves are the only food source for Meadow Fritillary caterpillars.
eaten by
Blue Jay
Cyanocitta cristata
This common bird preys on Meadow Fritillary adults and larvae.
pollinates
Creeping Thistle
Cirsium arvense
Adult Meadow Fritillaries visit these flowers for nectar, helping spread pollen.
eaten by
Garden Spider
Argiope aurantia
Meadow Fritillaries can get caught in their webs and become food.
Traits
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Camouflaged
Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment.
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
Butterflies are safe to watch but be gentle and don't touch them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Meadow Fritillary's wingspan?
35-50 mm
How big is Meadow Fritillary?
15-20 mm
How long does Meadow Fritillary live?
14-28 days
How fast can Meadow Fritillary fly?
10-20 km/h
What does Meadow Fritillary eat?
Adults sip sweet nectar from flowers, while their young caterpillars munch on violet leaves!
Where is Meadow Fritillary usually found?
Meadows and grasslands
How does Meadow Fritillary hunt?
Foraging
How many legs does Meadow Fritillary have?
6
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
