Regal Fritillary. Speyeria idalia. Identifying characteristics. Similar species. Wisconsin Butterflies. butterflies tiger beetles robber flies

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Annabella Scott
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Page 1 of 6 Wisconsin Butterflies butterflies tiger beetles robber flies Search species Regal Fritillary Speyeria idalia The Regal Fritillary is considered one of the elite butterflies of the eastern

1 Page 1 of 6 Wisconsin Butterflies butterflies tiger beetles robber flies Search species Regal Fritillary Speyeria idalia The Regal Fritillary is considered one of the elite butterflies of the eastern United States. This is partially because the Regal Fritillary has disappeared from many of its former populations in the east and is found in abundance in few locations east of Illinois, and also because fresh butterflies are distinctively different, beautiful butterflies. I still get excited when I see a Regal Fritillary whenever I am lucky enough to be where they occur. I have had butterfly enthusiasts from Massachusetts and Ontario, Canada me about observing this species in Wisconsin. It is endangered in all states east of the Mississippi where it occurs, including Wisconsin and Illinois. The bottom photo is of an aberrant individual that almost looks like a different species! Weekly sightings for Regal Fritillary Identifying characteristics On average, the Regal Fritillary is the largest fritillary in the state with wingspans to nearly four inches on some individuals. The upper forewings are mainly orange with a few black markings and black borders with a row of white spots in the females. The back wing above is very dark with two rows of light spots. In the male, the outer row of spots is yellowish, not white as in the female. Underneath the wing is very dark, chocolate brown with an abundance of white, such that more than half of the wing is actually white. Similar species The Regal Fritillary is very different from the other fritillaries when you get good looks at the butterfly, but the Aphrodite Fritillary can be extremely dark below, especially in poor lighting. More than once I have been excited to see a Regal Fritillary that turned out to be a dark Aphrodite hunkered down in the

2 Page 2 of 6 grass. The Regal Fritillary below has much bolder and larger white markings than the Aphrodite Fritillary. Habitat Larger open grasslands and prairie habitat. Flight The Regal Fritillary, like the other large fritillaries, has but one generation in Wisconsin, and also has a long flight period, being found from late June to early September. Abundance Regal Fritillaries are not common in Wisconsin, being found at a limited number of sites. They are most obvious when actively nectaring on nectar sources such as various milkweeds, thistles, blazing stars, and fall composites. In the Great Lakes Entomologist, Vol. 34, No. 1, Ann and Scott Swengel summarized all records of this species from in Wisconsin. Early Regal Fritillary Sightings Date County Reported by Jun 21, 2007 Portage Mike Reese Jun 27, 2006 Portage Mike Reese Jun 29, 2007 Crawford Mike Reese Jun 29, 2005 Portage Mike Reese Jun 30, 2006 Green Rhonda Hansen Locations

Prairie SNA, Green Co., WI, July 27, 2005.

3 Page 3 of 6 Brushfooted Butterflies Heliconians and Fritillaries Muralt Bluff Prairie SNA, Green Co., WI, July 27, Buena Vista Marsh, Portage Co., WI, June 29, 2005.

4 Page 4 of 6 An aberrant individual that was normal size and was nearly black above with some white near the body. Kellogg-Weaver SNA, Wabasha Co., MN, July 9, Buena Vista Marsh, Portage Co., WI, July 12, 2003.

5 Page 5 of 6 Buena Vista Marsh, Portage Co., WI, July 12, Buena Vista Marsh, Portage Co., WI, July 12, 2003.

6 Page 6 of 6 McCarthy Lake WMA, Wabasha Co., MN, July 12, Show lightbox 2009 wisconsinbutterflies.org contact about

Aphrodite Fritillary. Speyeria aphrodite. Identifying characteristics. Similar species. Wisconsin Butterflies. butterflies tiger beetles robber flies

Aphrodite Fritillary. Speyeria aphrodite. Identifying characteristics. Similar species. Wisconsin Butterflies. butterflies tiger beetles robber flies Page 1 of 5 Wisconsin Butterflies butterflies tiger beetles robber flies Search species Aphrodite Fritillary Speyeria aphrodite The Aphrodite Fritillary is found throughout the state during much of July