Size
35-51mm with an average wingspan of 40mm
Identification
Dorsal, orange with black dots, and various lines. Usually the trailing edge of the HW lacks a dark border. Marginal black spots never form inward pointing chevrons, but may be roughly oval, rectangular, semicircular, or point outward.
Ventral, orange to brown, lacking white spots, and when fresh, a purplish sheen on the HW.
The elongate narrow front wing has a "chopped off" looking truncated tip.
Range
Throughout most of Canada, northern and eastern U.S. south to N.C.
Habitat
Moist meadows, but they have adapted to hayfields, ditches, and other disturber settings.
Season
April to October with 2-3 broods. Overwintering as caterpillars.
Food
Caterpillars feed on violets, and adults nectar on many flowers, and will extract minerals from the ground.
Life Cycle
Overwinter as young larvae.
Remarks
The eastern race (bellona) is lighter colored than the western races (toddi) and (jenistae).
Over the last century Meadow Fritillaries have extended their range south in the Mid-west, but have become more rare at their southern limits on the Plains.
