Insect · GBIF taxon 8746798
Regal Fritillary
Argynnis idaliaAlso known as Regal Silverspot
Regal fritillaries are striking grassland butterflies that rely on undisturbed tallgrass prairies and wet meadows across North America's midwest. Females lay eggs randomly near native violets in late summer, leaving tiny caterpillars to hatch and immediately hibernate until spring without feeding. Adults are powerful fliers that coast low over native blooms like purple coneflower and butterfly milkweed.
Prairie SpecialistPollinatorDiurnal
—observations
—countries
—peak records
VulnerableConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXVulnerableRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Bird's-foot violet
- Prairie violet
- Milkweed nectar
Predators
- Insectivorous birds
- Robber flies
- Crab spiders
ThreatsPrairie habitat loss, agricultural conversion, invasive plants, and pesticide use
HabitatsTallgrass prairies, wet meadows, remnant grasslands
Life span1 year (adults fly June to September)
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyNymphalidae
- SpeciesArgynnis idalia
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
- What to notice
- Recognizable by its large wingspan, bright orange forewings, and striking blackish hindwings with silver spots underneath.
- Support conservation
- Observe from trails using telephoto lenses or binoculars to prevent disturbing delicate host plants and adult resting sites.
Responsible observation
- Spotting: Look for swift, low-flying individuals coasting over native prairie remnants between June and September.
- Identification: Examine the upper hindwings; females display two rows of white spots while males have an orange outer row.
- Observation etiquette: Stay on established trails to avoid trampling native violets and delicate prairie vegetation.
Prairie Pollinator Sid Mosdell from New Zealand / CC BY 2.0 · cc-by
Larval Host Plant 
Close Relative MONGO / Public domain · cc0Close Relative
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