Regal fritillary
Speyeria idalia
The regal fritillary is a striking nymphalid butterfly found among some of the remaining tallgrass and mixed-grass prairies in the east-central United States. This prairie-specialist butterfly has a characteristic deep orange color and unmistakable dark hindwings with two bands of spots . On the female, both bands of spots are white. However, on the male, the outer band of spots is orange in color. Females also tend to be slightly larger than males. The ventral surface of the hindwings is olive brown to black in color with bold silvery white spots . The wingspan of ''S. idalia'' usually measures 68–105 millimetres . Flight is in the summertime from approximately June to September and adults tend to be swift in flight, coasting close to the ground .
Regal fritillary larvae are approximately 0.08 inches long after they hatch and reach a length of approximately 1.75 inches when fully developed . The mature larvae have a black body with yellowish-orange bands and stripes. There are yellowish middorsal and lateral stripes and a number of dorsal, subdorsal, and lateral fleshy spines extending from the body. The head of the mature larvae is rounded and small, orangish-red on top and black underneath .
The larval food source for the regal fritillary and all members of the genus ''Speyeria'' are violets . The violets are an extremely important component of habitat sustainability for the regal fritillary and there is a correlation between the number of violets present and the number of butterflies found in a given area . Violet species that the larvae feed on include ''Viola pedata'' , ''V. pedatifida'' , ''V. papilionacea'' , ''V. lanceolata'' , ''V. nuttallii'' , ''V. sagittata'' , and ''V. tricolor'' . These various violet species are associated with the different areas of the regal fritillary’s range. For example, the bird’s-foot violet and the prairie violet tend to be the preferred larval food source for the regal in the Midwest and Great Plains regions .
The adult butterflies may feed on a variety of nectar plants and their availability throughout the summer flight time can be as important as the presence of larval food plants in determining whether an area can support populations of butterfly species . Milkweeds, thistles, coneflowers, blazing-stars, bergamots, clovers, goldenrods, and ironweeds are some of the most important nectar sources for adult regal fritillaries. Milkweeds and thistles have been observed to be the preferred nectar source throughout the regal fritillary’s range . These two types of plants provide a constant supply of nectar due to their staggered growth times. Common milkweed starts blooming when male regal fritillaries begin to emerge early in the summer and thistles tend to bloom later in the season which is crucial to females approaching oviposition .
Regal fritillary larvae are approximately 0.08 inches long after they hatch and reach a length of approximately 1.75 inches when fully developed . The mature larvae have a black body with yellowish-orange bands and stripes. There are yellowish middorsal and lateral stripes and a number of dorsal, subdorsal, and lateral fleshy spines extending from the body. The head of the mature larvae is rounded and small, orangish-red on top and black underneath .
The larval food source for the regal fritillary and all members of the genus ''Speyeria'' are violets . The violets are an extremely important component of habitat sustainability for the regal fritillary and there is a correlation between the number of violets present and the number of butterflies found in a given area . Violet species that the larvae feed on include ''Viola pedata'' , ''V. pedatifida'' , ''V. papilionacea'' , ''V. lanceolata'' , ''V. nuttallii'' , ''V. sagittata'' , and ''V. tricolor'' . These various violet species are associated with the different areas of the regal fritillary’s range. For example, the bird’s-foot violet and the prairie violet tend to be the preferred larval food source for the regal in the Midwest and Great Plains regions .
The adult butterflies may feed on a variety of nectar plants and their availability throughout the summer flight time can be as important as the presence of larval food plants in determining whether an area can support populations of butterfly species . Milkweeds, thistles, coneflowers, blazing-stars, bergamots, clovers, goldenrods, and ironweeds are some of the most important nectar sources for adult regal fritillaries. Milkweeds and thistles have been observed to be the preferred nectar source throughout the regal fritillary’s range . These two types of plants provide a constant supply of nectar due to their staggered growth times. Common milkweed starts blooming when male regal fritillaries begin to emerge early in the summer and thistles tend to bloom later in the season which is crucial to females approaching oviposition .