variegated fritillary

Variegated fritillary is a medium-sized, migratory, fritillary butterfly. The wingspan is 1¾″ to 2½″. Females can be much larger than males.

The upper side of both wings are orange with dark brown bands and spots. On the outer margin there is a band (marginal band) of orange spots that have dark borders and are separated by heavy, dark veins. All of the spots are pale and distinct, even at the wing tip. There is an orange submarginal band with dark, round spots, and a pale orange median band with no spots. The veins in the submarginal band, median band, and base are dark and thin.

The base of the forewing is reddish-orange. The outer edge has a thick, black border. There is a pale orange spot near the center with a thick, black border. There are two black chevrons closer to the body. The base of the hindwing is reddish-orange with some thin black markings.

The underside of the hindwing is brown with thin, white veins; a wide, pale, postmedian band; a pale marginal band; and no conspicuous pale spots. The underside of the forewing is pale orange with a reddish orange base, black markings, and a pale orange spot rimmed in black in the forewing cell.

The caterpillar is orangish-red, shiny, and up to 2″ long. Each abdominal segment has a white, footprint-shaped spot at the middle of the upper (dorsal) surface. On each side of each segment there is a dorsal row, subdorsal row, and spiracular row of black with white spots. Each of these rows has a single, branched, spike-like projection (scolus). There are two longer scoli on the prothorax that project well forward of the head. The scoli are black with an iridescent, purplish-blue reflection.

1¾″ to 2½″ wingspan

Open fields, meadows, roadsides

Two or three broods; mid-June to mid-September

Adults migrate from the south, first appearing in Minnesota around mid-June. The female lays pale green or cream colored eggs singly on the leaves and stems of host plants. The larvae eat the leaves, stems, and flowers of host plants. There are usually two broods per year, sometimes three.

Adults migrate south in the fall. They overwinter as caterpillars and possibly also as adults in frost-free areas.

Violet (Viola spp.), flax (Linum spp.), plantain (Plantago spp.), Canada moonseed, and May-apple.

Nectar of dogbane (Apocynum spp.), milkweed (Asclepias spp.), aster (Symphyotrichum spp.), beggarticks (Bidens spp.), thistle (Cirsium spp.), narrow-leaved purple coneflower, fleabane (Erigeron spp.), boneset (Eupatorium spp.), alfalfa, red clover, ironweed (Vernonia spp.), Joe Pye weed (Eutrochium spp.), purple loosestrife, and bog Labrador tea.

Sources

7, 21, 24, 27, 29, 30, 75, 82, 83.

Common

Variegated Fritillary feeding on a Blanket flower

Variegated Fritillary...

A small butterfly though it looks large in the photo. Maybe 2.5 - 3 inch wing span at most.

Seen and photographed a male in pursuit of a female Variegated. Not the best photo only got a couple shots at them. It was quite windy out that day. They can real flit around and sometimes spook easily.

Interesting butterfly and some were slightly larger than others in size. Also the color patterns were neat and varied in color tones. Some looked almost painted with rich colors and detailing and some were paler and had scruffy wing areas. But then they have to deal with prairie winds etc. and they can get whipped around etc.

Euptoieta claudia (Variegated Fritillary)
Allen Chartier

"Fritillary Butterflies" filmed by Dan W. Andree
May 5, 2025

variegated fritillary 01
Jul 26, 2022

IMG_0745.MOV
Walter Sanford

Variegated fritillary caterpillar
Bug of the Week

Courting Variegated Fritillaries
Dragonfly Woman

Variegated Fritillary Butterfly Eclosing 1080p macro
timvid

Variegated fritillary caterpillar eating a passion vine leaf
ba5sman

Location: Frenchman’s Bluff SNA

Variegated Fritillary feeding on a Blanket flower

Location: Frenchman’s Bluff SNA out in rural Norman County, Mn.

A small butterfly though it looks large in the photo. Maybe 2.5 - 3 inch wing span at most.

Location: Pope County

At Glacial Lakes State Park