REGAL FRITILLARY

Speyeria Idalia

BRUSH-FOOT FAMILY (Nymphalidae)

This large fritillary has an approximate wingspan of  2 5/8 - 3 5/8 inches.    Above, both sexes have a red-orange forewing with black spots and white dots on a black margin.  The hindwing is black with 2 rows of light spots and an orange base.  Below, the forewing is like the upperside.  The hindwing is dark brown with many showy silver spots.  The female is larger and has more black on the upper forewings and hindwings.  The caterpillars are black with many yellow transverse bands, orange spots and silver spines.  The head is red.

This butterfly is uncommon in the prairie areas and wet meadows at Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods.  Look for the adults on flowers especially milkweeds, purple coneflowers and thistles.  

Each summer there is one brood with a long flight period.  Males begin emerging in mid June, females a few weeks later.  The eggs develop slowly, therefore the female does not lay her eggs until late summer or early fall.  The newly-hatched caterpillar overwinters on the ground under leaves.  Food plants are violets.