# Pearl-bordered Fritillary (*Boloria euphrosyne*) The Pearl-bordered Fritillary is a beautiful butterfly with orange and black patterns. It loves to flutter around flowers and is often found in grassy areas during warm months. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Pearl-bordered Fritillary](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Boloria_euphrosyne_%282%29_200506.JPG&width=800) Photo: Michael Kranewitter, Vienna, CC BY 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Boloria_euphrosyne_%282%29_200506.JPG) ## Appearance The Pearl-bordered Fritillary has bright orange upperwings with bold black markings and a distinctive scalloped edge. Its underside hindwings feature a beautiful pattern of silvery 'pearl-like' spots, making it stand out from similar fritillaries. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Nymphalidae - **Genus:** Clossiana ## Interesting facts - It sleeps through winter as a tiny caterpillar, hidden in leaves! - Its caterpillars are very fuzzy and bristly to the touch! - Males often chase other butterflies from their favorite sunny spots. - This butterfly tastes with its feet to find the best flowers! ## Special abilities - **Hidden Pearls:** Pearl-bordered Fritillary has silvery, 'pearl-like' spots on its hindwings that help them camouflage when resting amongst leaves and flowers. - **Violet Specialist:** Pearl-bordered Fritillary larvae can only eat violet leaves, allowing them to specialize and grow quickly in specific habitats. - **Sun Power-Up:** Pearl-bordered Fritillary can bask in the sun to warm up, which helps them fly faster and escape from predators. - **Nectar Finder:** Pearl-bordered Fritillary uses tiny antennae to detect flower nectar and even find mates through subtle scent signals. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 35-45 mm - **Size:** 15-20 mm - **Lifespan:** 14-21 days - **Flight Speed:** 15 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Caterpillars munch on violet leaves, while adult butterflies sip sweet flower nectar. - **Age differences:** Larvae eat violet leaves; adults drink nectar from wildflowers. - **Primary Foods:** Viola riviniana, Viola palustris, Cirsium arvense, Ajuga reptans - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Common Dog-violet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-dog-violet) (*Viola riviniana*) — Larvae feed exclusively on its leaves. - **Hunts:** Blue Tit (*Cyanistes caeruleus*) — Preys on adult butterflies and caterpillars. - **Pollinates:** [Creeping Thistle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/creeping-thistle) (*Cirsium arvense*) — Adults visit flowers for nourishing nectar. ## Traits - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [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 Always watch butterflies from a distance and don't try to catch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Pearl-bordered 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 Pearl-bordered Fritillary's wingspan? 35-45 mm ### How big is Pearl-bordered Fritillary? 15-20 mm ### How long does Pearl-bordered Fritillary live? 14-21 days ### How fast can Pearl-bordered Fritillary fly? 15 km/h ### What does Pearl-bordered Fritillary eat? Caterpillars munch on violet leaves, while adult butterflies sip sweet flower nectar. ### Where is Pearl-bordered Fritillary usually found? Grasslands ### How does Pearl-bordered 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: [Pearl-bordered Fritillary: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pearl-bordered-fritillary)