Regal Fritillary

The regal fritillary (Speyeria idalia) is a striking nymphalid butterfly found in tallgrass and mixed-grass prairies in the east-central United States. This prairie-specialist butterfly is deep orange with distinctive dark hindwings with two bands of spots (Brock 2003). On the female, both bands of spots are white; on the male, the outer band of spots is orange. 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 (Selby 2007). The wingspan of S. idalia usually measures 68–105 millimetres (2.7–4.1 in) (Selby 2007). Flight is in the summertime from approximately June to September and adults tend to be swift in flight, coasting close to the ground (Brock 2003). It is listed as a species of special concern and believed extirpated in the US state of Connecticut.

Regal fritillary larvae are approximately 0.08 inches long after they hatch and reach a length of approximately 1.75 inches when fully developed (Edwards 1879).

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