CLOSED: What kind of butterfly is this?

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bebop2 Van Etten, NY(Zone 5a) Jul 19, 2008

Does anyone know what this is? Taken in western New York, it was on an opening echinacea.

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claypa West Pottsgrove, PA(Zone 6b) Jul 19, 2008

Well, it's definitely one of the greater fritillaries, genus Speyeria. There are lots of them, but I think it's the Great Spangled Fritillary, Speyeria cybele, especially if that's a normal-sized (large...) echinacea - the G.S. Frit. is larger than other fritillaries.
That photo is spectacular! Hopefully someone else can confirm (or correct) the ID for you.

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bebop2 Van Etten, NY(Zone 5a) Jul 19, 2008

Thanks Claypa, you certainly know your butterflies! I just looked at some images of GS Frit. and I think you're right but I'll leave this unsolved for now in case someone else wants to confirm.

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suunto Sinks Grove, WV Jul 19, 2008

Speyeria cybele does indeed seem most likely, although at least one other similar appearing species (Speyeria atlantis) occurs in your area - see http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species?l=1686

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bebop2 Van Etten, NY(Zone 5a) Jul 19, 2008

Suunto, I think "my" butterfly looks more like the cybele, just because there is a lot more color than the atlantis. Thanks for your input, claypa and suunto, your knowledge is amazing.

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