Meadow Fritillary

Boloria Bellona

Wingspan: 1 1/4-1 7/8″. Above: orange with black lines, chevrons, and dots. Below: forewing has black markings, hindwing is orange-brown, outer portion has lavender-gray cast; lacks the silver spots of other fritillary butterflies. Front wings appear clipped. Males and females look alike.

• Females lay eggs on twigs and plants other than the host violets.

Habitat: Wet meadows and bogs

Larval food plants: Violet leaves

Adult food: Favorite nectar sources are composites, including black-eyed susans, dandelions, and ox-eyed daisy.