Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia)

Description: A medium sized, boldly marked butterfly. Like all fritillaries its wings have a complex pattern of orange and brown markings. Unlike the other large fritillary species occurring in the Maritimes it has very sharply pointed forewings with concave lateral margins, and no bold silver spots on the underside of its hindwings. Wingspan: 44 to 60 mm.

Maritime Distribution: Vagrant. For Atlas results click here.

Provincial Ranks: NB: SNA. NS: SNA. PEI: -.

Flight Period: July and August.

Host Plant: A variety of plants including violets (Viola spp.), stonecrop (Sedum spp.) and plantain (Plantago spp.).

Notes: Variegated Fritillary is a vagrant species capable of long distance flights. When it arrives it may be able to establish a breeding colony here, but is unable to survive our winters in any form. There are several cases of short term colonization in New Brunswick including the discovery of a larva near Miramachi.
A testament to its migratory capabilities, a Variegated Fritillary was collected in southeastern Nunavut, more than 500 km north of the next closest record!