Speyeria cybele

Common and widespread

One brood; mid June to early September

Open woodlands, prairies, meadows, roadsides; prefers moist areas

2½″ to 3½″ wingspan

This is a large, long-lived, longwing butterfly. The wingspan is 2½″ to 3½″.

The upperside of the wings are orange, orangish-brown toward the center, with black bands, spots, and chevrons. The wing veins of the middle portion of the forewing are dark, appearing thick. The outer band of the forewing may be entirely orange or mostly black. The outer band of the hindwing is always orange, never black.

The underside of the wings is mostly pale, orangish-brown toward the center, with a orangish-brown marginal band. The underside of the hindwing has a row of submarginal silvery spots and a row of median silvery spots, the two rows separated by a wide, yellowish band.

Females are larger and darker than males.

Aphrodite fritillary (Speyeria aphrodite) is a smaller butterfly. There is an extra black spot on the forewing near the body in the cell second from the hindwing. The wing veins of the middle portion of the forewing are less dark, appearing very thin.

Atlantis fritillary (Speyeria atlantis) is a smaller butterfly. The outer band of the upper hindwing is mostly black.

Violet leaves

Nectar of violets, thistles, and other large flowers,

Males emerge in late June or July, 2 to 4 weeks before the females. Mating occurs in open areas in July. Females lay eggs on or near violets in late summer. Males die in October, females in October or early September. The eggs hatch in the fall. The newly hatched caterpillars overwinter, not feeding until the spring.