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Spotted Fritillary

Melitaea didyma

The Spotted Fritillary is a beautiful butterfly with orange and black spots. It flutters around flowers and loves sunny places, making it a joyful sight in nature.

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

The Spotted Fritillary has vibrant orange-brown wings adorned with numerous black spots and a distinct network of dark lines. Its hindwings often feature a paler, yellowish underside with a checkerboard pattern. This butterfly is visually differentiated by its striking pattern of black markings against a warm orange base, making it stand out from plainer brown butterflies.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyNymphalidaeGenusMelitaea
Spotted Fritillary
spotted trait badgesolitary trait badgecolorful trait badgegrassland trait badge
Spotted Fritillary

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Adults can taste sweet nectar with special sensors located on their tiny feet!

Their caterpillars wear spiky coats, making them less tasty for hungry birds!

They unfold a long, straw-like tongue called a proboscis to drink flower nectar!

This butterfly is super important for pollinating many different types of wildflowers!

Special abilities

Ability

Sun Seeker

Spotted Fritillary has dark markings that help them absorb sunlight to warm up their bodies, allowing for faster flight.

Ability

Pattern Disguise

Spotted Fritillary can use its intricate wing patterns to blend into sun-dappled foliage, helping them hide from sharp-eyed predators.

Ability

Host Plant Navigator

Spotted Fritillary can locate specific host plants like plantains by smell, ensuring their caterpillars have the right food to grow.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
30-50 mm
Size
15-25 mm
Lifespan
10-25 days
Flight Speed
10-20 km/h
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

Caterpillars munch on leaves, while adult butterflies enjoy sipping sweet flower nectar.

Age differences: Larvae feed on specific host plant leaves, while adults exclusively drink nectar from flowers.

Primary Foods

  • Plantago lanceolata
  • Centaurea scabiosa
  • Cirsium vulgare
  • Thymus serpyllum

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Be gentle and watch butterflies from a distance so they feel safe.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Spotted Fritillary's wingspan?

30-50 mm

How big is Spotted Fritillary?

15-25 mm

How long does Spotted Fritillary live?

10-25 days

How fast can Spotted Fritillary fly?

10-20 km/h

What does Spotted Fritillary eat?

Caterpillars munch on leaves, while adult butterflies enjoy sipping sweet flower nectar.

Where is Spotted Fritillary usually found?

Grasslands

How does Spotted Fritillary hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Spotted Fritillary have?

6

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