# 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! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Meadows ![Mormon Fritillary](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/NW138-15_Argynnis_mormonia_%283431177154%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: NSG group from Lund, Sweden, CC0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:NW138-15_Argynnis_mormonia_%283431177154%29.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Nymphalidae - **Genus:** Speyeria ## 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 - **Nectar Sipper:** Mormon Fritillary has a long, coiled proboscis that helps them sip nectar deep from various mountain flowers. - **Violet Specialist:** Mormon Fritillary caterpillars can only eat specific violet leaves, which helps them develop into butterflies. - **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 - **Depends on:** [Hookedspur Violet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/hookedspur-violet) (*Viola adunca*) — Its caterpillars feed solely on its leaves to grow. - **Pollinates:** Aspen Fleabane (*Erigeron speciosus*) — Adults visit its flowers to drink sweet nectar. - **Eaten by:** [Steller's Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/stellers-jay) (*Cyanocitta stelleri*) — Colorful butterflies are a food source for many birds. ## Traits - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [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. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. - [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 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 ## Where to spot - [Cut Bank Ranger Station Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cut-bank-ranger-station-historic-district) — Montana, US · Historic District - [Valhalla Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/valhalla-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park ## 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: [Mormon Fritillary: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/mormon-fritillary)