1,469 observationsExtinct
Regal Fritillary
Argynnis idalia
Taxonomy
Kingdom: Animalia βΊPhylum: Arthropoda βΊClass: Insecta βΊOrder: Lepidoptera βΊFamily: Nymphalidae βΊGenus: Argynnis
About
The regal fritillary (Speyeria idalia) 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 (Brock 2003). 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....