Great Spangled Fritillary
Speyeria cybele
Photo by Naturelady from Pixabay
Summary
Although it’s the most common fritillary in eastern North America, the great spangled fritillary looks anything but common. The largest of the fritillary clan, it’s easily recognized by its large, rusty-orange wings, and the spangled hind wings have metallic spots that glisten in the sunshine. Adults can be seen visiting a wide variety of flowers in summer, often congregating on their favorites. But females will search for their larval host plants, violets, when it’s time to lay their eggs in autumn.
More Details
FAMILY
Nymphalidae (Brushfoots)
IDENTIFICATION
Wingspan 2.4-3.5 inches; ventral side of the hindwings features a pale submarginal band and pronounced silver spots. Dorsal side two-toned; dark brown near body. Caterpillar recognizable by jet-black body with spine-like structures tipped in orange.
HABITAT
Old fields, roadsides, woodland edges, gardens
LIFE CYCLE
Eggs are faint grayish white, laid individually on leaves of host plants. First instar larva overwinters upon hatching and waits until spring to feed on the tender leaves of violets. Pupa resembles a shelled peanut. Males emerge before females in early part of flight season. Mating occurs mid-summer.
HOST PLANTS
Common blue violet (Viola sororia) and other violets
Ecosystem Connections
The great spangled fritillary spends the winter as a tiny caterpillar, hidden in leaf litter. The female lays her eggs (more than 1000) around the base of her host plant, native violets, in the fall. The caterpillar emerges soon after, but instead of feeding, it enters diapause (a dormant state), remaining hidden under cover of fallen leaves. When the weather warms and the violets begin to grow, the caterpillar will awaken and begin munching away.
When gardening for pollinators, it’s important to leave the leaves!