Hydaspe Fritillary

Identification: Upperside orange-brown with dark bases and heavy dark markings. Underside light brown to dark maroon with violet tinge. Hindwing submarginal band slightly paler than rest of wing; spots cream-colored, bordered with black, and may or may not be silvered.

Life history: Eggs are laid near host plants. Unfed, first-stage caterpillars hibernate; in the spring they eat leaves.

Flight: One brood from June-September.

Wing span: 2 - 2 1/2 inches (5 - 6.4 cm).

Caterpillar hosts: Violets including Viola adunca, V. glabella, V. nuttallii, V. orbiculata, and V. purpurea.

Adult food: Flower nectar.

Habitat: Moist forest openings and mountain meadows.

Range: British Columbia eas... read moret to Alberta, south to southern California, Idaho, Montana, and New Mexico.