aphrodite fritillary
Speyeria aphrodite
Identification: Wingspan 2 1/2 - 3 1/4 inches. Often confused with Great Spangled Fritillary- the Aphrodite Frittilary has a yellow marginal band on the underside of its hind wings that doesn’t go all the way to the second set of white spots.
Habitat: Moist prairies, high mountain meadows, openings in barrens, brushland, dry fields, open oak woods, bogs.
Garden Habit: Males patrol for females during warm hours. Females walk about on the ground to lay single eggs near violets. First-stage caterpillars do not feed, but overwinter until spring, when they eat young leaves of violets.
Host Plants: Various violet species including northern downy violet and lance-leaved violet.
Identification: Wingspan 2 1/2 - 3 1/4 inches. Often confused with Great Spangled Fritillary- the Aphrodite Frittilary has a yellow marginal band on the underside of its hind wings that doesn’t go all the way to the second set of white spots.
Habitat: Moist prairies, high mountain meadows, openings in barrens, brushland, dry fields, open oak woods, bogs.
Garden Habit: Males patrol for females during warm hours. Females walk about on the ground to lay single eggs near violets. First-stage caterpillars do not feed, but overwinter until spring, when they eat young leaves of violets.
Host Plants: Various violet species including northern downy violet and lance-leaved violet.