Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele)

Description: This is our largest fritillary. Males are orange above with black patterning. The forewing underside is yellowish-orange below with black markings. The hindwing underside is dark brown with a wide tan submarginal band and silver spots. Females are similarly patterned though much browner overall and more black in the outer margin. Great Spangled Fritillary is distinguished from other large fritillaries by its large size and the lack of a black spot near the base of the forewing upperside. See Aphrodite profile for more in identification of Speyeria fritilities. Wingspan: 62 to 88 mm.

Maritime Distribution: Widespread throughout the Maritimes. For Atlas results click here.

Provincial Ranks: NB: S5. NS: S5. PEI: S5.

Flight Period: Late June to mid September.

Host Plant: Violets (Viola spp.).

Subspecies:Subspecies novascotiae occurs throughout the Maritimes

Notes: This conspicuous butterfly is common to abundant in a wide variety of open habitats where it frequents flowers, sometimes in large numbers. It is a very familiar summer butterfly.