description Great Spangled Fritillary Overview
The great spangled fritillary, Speyeria cybele, is a large butterfly in the family Nymphalidae native to much of North America. Adults are orange and black above, while the underside of the hindwing bears prominent silver spots against a brown or reddish background. Females lay eggs near violets, which serve as food for the caterpillars, and adults visit flowers in meadows, fields, woodland openings, and gardens during summer.
help Great Spangled Fritillary FAQ
How can I identify a Great Spangled Fritillary?
Speyeria cybele is a large orange-and-black butterfly, and the underside of its hindwing has prominent silver spots on a brown or reddish background. Those silver spots are a useful field mark when separating it from other orange butterflies.
Where does the Great Spangled Fritillary live?
It is native to much of North America and is often associated with open meadows, woodland edges, and other flower-rich places. The species name is Speyeria cybele, in the brush-footed butterfly family Nymphalidae.
What do Great Spangled Fritillary caterpillars eat?
The larvae feed on violets, plants in the genus Viola. Adults are often seen visiting nectar flowers, but the caterpillar's host plant is the key clue for finding a breeding site.
How are male and female Great Spangled Fritillaries different?
Females are generally larger and darker than males, although both sexes show orange-and-black upper wings and silver spots below. Identification is safest when you combine those sex differences with the Speyeria cybele range and hindwing pattern.
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