The Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia) is a North and South American butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. Even though the Variegated Fritillary has some very different characteristics from the Speyeria Fritillaries, it is still closely related to them. Some of the differences are: Variegated Fritillaries have 2–3 broods per year vs. one per year in Speyeria; they are nomadic vs. sedentary; and they use a wide range of host plants vs. just violets. And because of their use of passionflowers as a host plant, Variegated Fritillaries also have taxonomic links to the heliconians. Their flight is low and swift, but even when resting or nectaring, this species is extremely difficult to approach, and, because of this, its genus name was taken from the Greek word euptoietos meaning "easily scared".^[1]

Description

Underside of Wings

For a key to the terms used see Lepidopteran glossary.

The upper side of the wings is checkered with orange and black. Both the fore wing and hind wing have a row of submarginal black spots and black median lines running across the wings.^[2][3] The underside of the fore wing is orange with a pale orange spot rimmed in black in the fore wing cell. The underside of the hind wing is mottled with browns and grays with a pale postmedian band. There is no silvering.^[3] The wingspan measures 1.75–2.25 inches.^[4]

Similar species

In the Variegated Fritillary’s range, the only similar species is the Mexican Fritillary (Euptoieta hegesia). The Mexican Fritillary is brighter orange, the upper side of its hind wing basal area is unmarked, and the underside of its wings is plainer, with no submarginal spots or median black lines.^[2][3]

Flight period

This species may be seen flying from April–October in the south, while in the north it flies from summer to early fall.^[5]

Habitat

This butterfly is often found in open, disturbed habitats such as clover and alfalfa fields, pastures, fields, waste areas, roadsides, and mountain meadows.^[1][6]

Nectar plants

Here is a list of some of the flowers that the Variegated Fritillary uses as nectar plants:

• dogbane, Apocynum sp.
• Common Milkweed, Asclepias syriaca
• asters, Aster sp.
• Bearded Beggarticks, Bidens aristosa
• thistles, Cirsium sp.
• coneflowers, Echinacea sp.
• fleabane, Erigeron sp.
• Common Boneset, Eupatorium perfoliatum
• Alfalfa, Medicago sativa
• Red Clover, Trifolium pratense
• ironweed, Vernonia sp.^[6][7]

Life cycle

• 

  Preparing to Mate

• 

  Beginning Mating

• 

  Mating

Larva

Chrysalis

Males actively patrol for females.^[1] Females lay their pale green or cream colored eggs singly on host plant leaves and stems. The larva eats the leaves, flowers, and stems of the food plant.^[1][8] The larva is red with black subdorsal and spiracular stripes infused with white spotting. In many individuals, the white is more conspicuous than the black. The red middorsal stripe bears white (sometimes black) oval shaped spots, one per segment.^[9] It has six rows of black spines and has a pair of long, clubbed spines on the head.^[5][8] The chrysalis is mainly shiny white, with small black spots, a variable amount of brown markings, and orange and gold tubercules. Adults overwinter in the south and fly north each spring and summer.^[8] It has 2–3 broods per year.^[3]

Host plants

This is a list of host plants used by the Variegated Fritillary:

• Five-wing Spiderling, Boerhaavia intermedia
• Arizona Swallow-wort, Cynanchum arizonicum
• Babyslippers, Hybanthus verticillatus
• Southern Flax, Linum australe
• Stiffstem Flax, Linum rigidum
• Grooved Yellow Flax, Linum sulcatum
• Canadian Moonseed, Menispermum canadense
• Mexican Moonseed, Menispermum mexicanum
• Blue Passionflower, Passiflora caerulea
• Foetid Passionflower, Passiflora foetida
• Purple Passionflower, Passiflora incarnata
• plantain, Plantago sp.
• Mayapple, Podophyllum peltatum
• Common Purslane, Portulaca oleracea
• Yellow Alder, Turnera ulmifolia
• Lance-leaf Stonecrop, Sedum lanceolatum
• American Field Pansy, Viola bicolor
• Common Blue Violet, Viola sororia
• Heartsease, Viola tricolor ssp.^[6][8]

References