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Meadow Fritillary

Meadow Fritillary

Boloria bellona

A species of Lesser fritillaries, Also known as American meadow fritillary

The upperside of the wings is yellow orange with dark spots, lines, and zigzagged bands. The forewing is squared off just below the apex. A dark border on the hindwing margin is lacking on most individuals. It has long palps. The underside of the wings are mottled with orange and purplish-brown. There is a yellowish band that runs across the center of the hindwing. It lacks the silver spots most lesser fritillaries have. The forewing is smudged with orange and brown near the apex. The wingspan of the meadow fritillary is 3.5 - 5.1 cm (​1 ⁄8 - 2 inches).

General Info About Meadow Fritillary
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Attributes of Meadow Fritillary
Colors
Brown
Black
Gold
Habitat
The meadow fritillary is frequently encountered in wet, open places, including pastures, fields, and streamsides.
Adult Food Sources
Aster (aster spp.), milkweed (asclepias spp.), goldenrod (solidago spp.), thistle (cirsium spp.), dandelion (taraxacum spp.)
Larva Food Source
Violets (viola spp.), willow (salix spp.), aspen (populus spp.)
Non-poisonous
Not reported
Borer
Not reported
Pollinator
The Meadow Fritillary is often found near the corolla, where its fluffy hairs easily pick up pollen, assisting in the pollination of the plant.
Pest-Eating Predatory
Not reported
Phytophagous
Not reported
Predatory
Not reported
Biting animal or pet
Not reported
Mouthparts Type
Siphoning mouthparts
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Species Status of Meadow Fritillary
Common and widespread
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Distribution Area of Meadow Fritillary
British Columbia, Canada, Quebec, Washington, Missouri, North Carolina, New England
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Life Cycle of Meadow Fritillary
Egg The eggs of meadow Fritillary are small and laid in clusters. They are typically spherical or oval in shape, and may be colored to blend with the substrate for camouflage. Eggs serve as the protective encasing for the developing embryo.
Larva As larvae, meadow Fritillary are known as caterpillars. They exhibit rapid growth and have cylindrical bodies with distinct segments. Initially, caterpillars lack pronounced features but develop bristles or spines for defense as they molt and grow.
Pupal During the transformation into a pupa, meadow Fritillary encase themselves in a chrysalis. This stage is immobile and appears lifeless. The body undergoes significant change, reorganizing into the adult form in a process called histolysis and histogenesis.
Adult Emerging from the pupa, the adult meadow Fritillary displays vibrant wing patterns, which are key for species identification, mate attraction, and predator deterrence. The adult body is segmented, with six legs, functional mouthparts for feeding, and reproductive organs.
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Predators of Meadow Fritillary Larvae
Birds, rodents, spiders, wasps, ants
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Scientific Classification of Meadow Fritillary
Tips for Finding Meadow Fritillary
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Youth Habitat of Meadow Fritillary
Forests and Woodlands, Grasslands and Prairies, Wet Meadows
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Adult Habitat of Meadow Fritillary
Forests and Woodlands, Grasslands and Prairies, Wet Meadows, Fields and Open Areas, Edge Habitats
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How Can You Attract Meadow Fritillary
Adult meadow Fritillary are attracted to various flowers and sweet substances. A simple bait trap could be a blend of fermenting fruit, which releases a scent that can lure meadow Fritillary to the trap. It is important not to use harmful substances that may endanger the creature or disrupt the ecosystem.
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Habitat Preferences of Meadow Fritillary Through Different Life Stages
The eggs of meadow Fritillary are typically deposited on the host plant leaves found in meadows or marshy areas. Searching for larvae would entail looking closely at the undersides of leaves or stems of host plants in these habitats, as they tend to feed and develop there. Pupae are usually hidden in the foliage or under debris close to the ground within the same environments. Adult meadow Fritillary are frequently spotted in flower-rich fields, along woodland edges, or near wetlands, where they forage for nectar. To observe the various stages, one must carefully inspect host plants, sift through leaf litter, and patiently observe the flowering plants in these areas.
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How and Where Can You Find Meadow Fritillary at Different Life Stages
Egg Eggs of meadow Fritillary are laid on specific host plants. To find them, identify the host plants associated with meadow Fritillary and inspect the undersides of leaves and stems for small, round, or oval eggs.
Larva Meadow Fritillary caterpillars are found on or near their food plants. Search for signs of feeding, like chewed leaves, and look on the underside of leaves or along stems for these larvae.
Pupal Meadow Fritillary chrysalides are camouflaged and blend with their surroundings, often attached to the underside of leaves or stems, or hidden in leaf litter. Search gently through potential pupation sites without disturbing the habitat.
Adult Adult meadow Fritillary are most active in sunny, warm weather. Look for meadow Fritillary feeding on nectar in flowers, along sunny clearings, edges of woods, or wet, muddy areas where they may gather salts and minerals.
Are Meadow Fritillary harmful?
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Are Meadow Fritillary harmful to humans?

Some larvae of tortoiseshell butterflies feed on milkweed, which is a poisonous plant containing cardiac glycosides, so the larvae are poisonous. Although poisonous, these butterflies will not directly affect humans if not swallowed. Touching the larvae of certain tortoiseshell butterflies may cause a rash.
Beneficial Effects of Meadow Fritillary
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Explore how insects help as pollinators, pest predators, and biocontrol agents. From seed dispersal to decomposition, they play vital roles in our ecosystem.
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Pollinator
Pollinator
Pollination Behavior Reason
Eat Pollen Or Nectar
Meadow Fritillary is a vital pollinator that flutters from flower to flower, inadvertently collecting and depositing pollen. It is primarily attracted to the blossoms' vivid colors and intricate shapes. During feeding, the pollen adheres to their body, facilitating the cross-pollination of many plants.
Common Questions People Also Ask
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