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Mormon Fritillary

Argynnis mormonia

The Mormon Fritillary is a colorful butterfly with orange and black spots. It flutters gracefully in meadows and is a joy to see in nature!

Habitat: Meadows

Appearance

The Mormon Fritillary is a medium-sized butterfly with vibrant orange wings adorned with intricate black spots and markings. Its underside boasts distinctive silver or pearly spots, especially on the hindwings, making it visually unique among mountain butterflies.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyNymphalidaeGenusSpeyeria
Mormon Fritillary
Photo: NSG group from Lund, SwedenCC0 · Wikimedia CommonsView original ↗
spotted trait badgesocial trait badgecolorful trait badgegrassland trait badge
Mormon Fritillary

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

1

Interesting facts

Its caterpillars only eat specific violet leaves to grow up!

Mormon Fritillary gets its name from early settlers in Utah!

The shimmering silver spots on its wings are truly unique!

They mostly live high up in cool mountain meadows and forests!

Special abilities

Ability

Nectar Sipper

Mormon Fritillary has a long, coiled proboscis that helps them sip nectar deep from various mountain flowers.

Ability

Violet Specialist

Mormon Fritillary caterpillars can only eat specific violet leaves, which helps them develop into butterflies.

Ability

Reflective Shield

Mormon Fritillary has silvery spots on its hindwings that may help them reflect light and confuse predators.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
40-54 mm
Size
20-30 mm
Lifespan
14-28 days
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

Adults sip flower nectar; caterpillars feast on violet leaves.

Age differences: Larvae (caterpillars) feed exclusively on violet leaves, while adults drink nectar from various flowers.

Primary Foods

  • Nectar
  • Violet leaves
  • Flower sap

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

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 Mormon 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 Mormon Fritillary's wingspan?

40-54 mm

How big is Mormon Fritillary?

20-30 mm

How long does Mormon Fritillary live?

14-28 days

What does Mormon Fritillary eat?

Adults sip flower nectar; caterpillars feast on violet leaves.

Where is Mormon Fritillary usually found?

Meadows

How does Mormon Fritillary hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Mormon Fritillary have?

6

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