Meadow Fritillary Butterly

True to its name, the Meadow Fritillary can be found in meadows and flower fields, often with others, taking in nectar and some sun.

Unlike most butterflies, the Meadow Fritillary does not venture into the warmer, southern part of North America. Canada and American states north of the Deep South and Southwest are included in its range. Color variations for this species exist: some are an orange-yellow while others are more of a burnt orange. The pattern on all of them remains the same. All have a myriad of dots and circles that cover the wings, and they rest with them spread out and flat.

Three generations can be produced each year. Caterpillars are a purple black color with spines and they eat violets. Adults are busy all summer and can be seen in gardens and at the edges of woodlands where their larval host plant grows.

Taxonomic Hierarchy

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Insecta

Order: Lepidoptera

Family: Nymphalidae

Genus: Boloria

Species: bellona

Identifying Information

Scientific Name: Boloria bellona

Category: Butterfly or Moth

Size (Adult; Length): 32mm to 48mm (1.25in to 1.87in)

Colors: orange, black, brown

Descriptors: dots, dashes, lines, border, flying

Territorial Map

Alaska

Hawaii

Prince Edward Is.

Canadian territory of British Columbia graphic

Canadian territory of New Brunswick graphic

Canadian territory of Newfoundland and Labrador graphic

Canadian territory of Saskatchewan graphic

Contiguous United States shape map layer graphic

Territorial Reach (A-to-Z)

Newfoundland and Labrador

Mexico

Note: An insect's reach is not limited by lines drawn on a map and therefore species may appear in areas, regions and/or states beyond those listed above as they are driven by environmental factors (such as climate change), available food supplies and mating patterns. Grayed-out selections indicate that the subject in question has not been reported in that particular territory. U.S. states and Canadian provinces / territories are clickable to their respective bug listings.

Butterfly and Moth Anatomy

Graphic showing basic anatomy of a common North American butterfly and moth insect

Antennae: Butterflies and Moths have a pair of antennae on the head used as sensors.

Head: The head is home to the insect's eyes, antennae, and proboscis.

Thorax: Home to the three pairs of legs as well as vital internal organs.

Abdomen: Contains vital internal organs such as the heart(s) and reproduction facilities.

Forewing: The upper, forward wing pair used for flying.

Hindwing: The lower, rearward wing pair used for flying.

NOTE: Butterflies and Moths are part of the Lepidopteran order as they share many similarities.

Meadow Fritillary Butterly (Boloria bellona)

True to its name, the Meadow Fritillary can be found in meadows and flower fields, often with others, taking in nectar and some sun.