Size:
Wingspan is 2 1/2 - 3 1/4 inches.

Similar Species:
Great Spangled Fritillary
Atlantis Fritillary (The Virginias only)

Habitat:
Open fields, meadows, pastures, dry shale barrens and wet meadows.

Range/Abundance:
Common in the higher elevation mountains of VA, WV and the western mountains of NC.

Flight Period:
Adults fly from late May until early October in an extended single brood. Males emerge 2-3 weeks before the females.

Larval Host Plants:
Violets Viola spp.
Blue Violet Viola papilionacea, Downy Wood Violet V. soraria, Marsh Blue Violet V. cucullata and Striped Violet V. striata

Comments:
This is one of the more difficult fritillaries to identify in the Appalachian Mountains. In NC it's only found at higher elevations and is easily told from the more common and slightly larger Great Spangled Fritillary which has a broad yellow/brown post-median band on the underside.

In the Virginias it is much harder to identify because Atlantis Fritillary adds to the confusion.

The top and second photos were taken in Yancy Co., NC on July 01, 2001. The second rollover image was taken in Pendleton Co., WV on July 04, 2001. The third photo was taken in Floyd Co., VA on July 04, 2003. The bottom photo was taken in Lebanon Co., PA on July 08, 2003.

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