# Queen of Spain Fritillary (*Issoria lathonia*) The Queen of Spain Fritillary is a beautiful butterfly with orange and black patterns on its wings. It loves to flutter around flowers and can often be seen in sunny meadows during warm days. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Queen of Spain Fritillary](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Issoria_lathonia_kz1.jpg&width=800) Photo: Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Issoria_lathonia_kz1.jpg) ## Appearance The Queen of Spain Fritillary has vibrant orange upper wings boldly patterned with distinct black spots. Its hindwing undersides are particularly striking, featuring large, brilliant silvery-white spots against a purplish-brown background, making it visually distinct from other fritillary species. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Nymphalidae - **Genus:** Issoria ## Interesting facts - Despite its name, this butterfly is common across much of Europe and Asia, not just Spain! - Its caterpillars love to munch on pansy and viola leaves, growing super fast! - Some Queen of Spain Fritillaries fly thousands of kilometers, migrating across continents! - The underside of its hindwings sparkles with large, mirror-like silver spots! ## Special abilities - **Shiny Shield:** Queen of Spain Fritillary has silvery undersides that help them blend into bright surroundings, confusing predators when they rest. - **Nectar Finder:** Queen of Spain Fritillary can sense the sweetest flowers with its antennae, helping them find vital energy. - **Metamorphosis Marvel:** Queen of Spain Fritillary performs a complete metamorphosis, transforming from a crawling larva into a flying beauty. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 38-50 mm - **Size:** 10-15 mm - **Lifespan:** 14-21 days - **Flight Speed:** 15 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Caterpillars munch on leaves, while adult butterflies sip sweet flower nectar! - **Age differences:** Yes, caterpillars eat leaves, and adults drink nectar. - **Primary Foods:** flower nectar, violets (Viola spp.), pansies (Viola spp.), thistles (Cirsium spp.), knapweeds (Centaurea spp.) - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [Wild Pansy](https://www.snappit.app/explore/wild-pansy) (*Viola tricolor*) — Caterpillars feed on its leaves. - **Pollinates:** Spear Thistle (*Cirsium vulgare*) — Adults collect nectar from its flowers. - **Eaten by:** [House Sparrow](https://www.snappit.app/explore/house-sparrow) (*Passer domesticus*) — Birds can prey on adult butterflies. ## Traits - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [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. - [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 Butterflies are gentle and safe to watch, but don't try to catch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Queen of Spain 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 Queen of Spain Fritillary's wingspan? 38-50 mm ### How big is Queen of Spain Fritillary? 10-15 mm ### How long does Queen of Spain Fritillary live? 14-21 days ### How fast can Queen of Spain Fritillary fly? 15 km/h ### What does Queen of Spain Fritillary eat? Caterpillars munch on leaves, while adult butterflies sip sweet flower nectar! ### Where is Queen of Spain Fritillary usually found? Grasslands ### How does Queen of Spain Fritillary hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Naturpark Unteres Saaletal](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/naturpark-unteres-saaletal) — Sachsen-Anhalt, DE · 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: [Queen of Spain Fritillary: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/queen-of-spain-fritillary)