Great Spangled Fritillary

Fritillary Butterflies Gulf Fritillary Hydaspe Fritillary Mormon Fritillary Pacific Fritillary Types of Butterflies

The Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele) is a common butterfly in the northern half of the United States.

There is some discussion of splitting the group into Eastern and Western species, with the Western species being named Leto Fritillary. In that case, the picture shows a Leto Fritillary.

Either way, females, like the one in the top picture, differ so much from the typical Spyeria species that misidentification is rarely a problem.

Males, like the one in the bottom picture, closely resemble the typical Spyeria species with respect to the top wing pattern. The side view (not shown completely in the picture) shows the wide tan color bands running around the top borders of the wings.

Along with a top view, the tan bans on the underside of the wings are usually sufficient field identification marks for the Great Spangled.

Because they are a northern species, Great Spangled Fritillaries are primarily summer butterflies.

© 2008 Patricia A. Michaels