• Butterflies
• Dragonflies
• Damselflies
• Tiger beetles
• Hike with Mike

• The butterflies:
• Brushfooted Butterflies
  • Snouts
  • Heliconians and Fritillaries
  • True Brushfoots
  • Admirals and Relatives
  • Leafwings
  • Emperors
  • Satyrs
  • Monarchs
• Heliconians and Fritillaries
  • Gulf Fritillary
  • Variegated Fritillary
  • Great Spangled Fritillary
  • Aphrodite Fritillary
  • Regal Fritillary
  • Atlantis Fritillary
  • Bog Fritillary
  • Silver-bordered Fritillary
  • Meadow Fritillary
  • Frigga Fritillary
  • Freija Fritillary
  • Purplish Fritillary

Great Spangled Fritillary

(Speyeria cybele)

The Great Spangled Fritillary is found throughout the state from late June through August and into early September. The species is long-lived and many individuals that are found in late August and September are very worn with frayed and even missing parts and wings. They are often seen at nectar sources such as Common Milkweed, thistles, or Joe-Pye-Weed with the Aphrodite Fritillary, and in the north the Atlantis Fritillary.

Identifying characteristics: Above, this species is orange with a variety of black markings, but is noticeably darker near the body, especially in fresh individuals. Below, this species is easily told by the wide, light band on the hind wing.

Similar species: From below this species is unlike any other species in Wisconsin. From above it may easily be confused with both the Aphrodite and Atlantis Fritillaries. The Atlantis appears much darker than the other Fritillaries because it has darkened wing veins on the front wing and nearly solid, black wing margins. The Aphrodite Fritillary is usually lighter with an extra black mark near the base, often resembling a checkmark. This is somewhat hard to discern in some individuals, especially worn ones, but is reliable only if clearly observed.

Habitat: Open fields and woodland edges. Can be found in both wet and dry habitats.

Flight: One brood. Has been observed from mid-June until late September. In 2004, a very worn individual was observed on September 26.

Abundance: Common throughout Wisconsin. This species is undoubtedly found in all counties.

Recent Great Spangled Fritillary Sightings

Date seen	County	Reported by
Tuesday	Rusk	Susan Mayer
Sunday	Iowa	Mike Reese, David Reese
Sunday	Marinette	Adrian Konell
08–23–2008	Waushara	Mike Reese
08–22–2008	Wood	Ron Arnold
08–21–2008	Dane	Tod Highsmith
08–20–2008	Marinette	Adrian Konell
08–19–2008	Dane	Jorgen Goderstad
08–19–2008	Marinette	Adrian Konell
08–17–2008	Marinette	Adrian Konell
08–17–2008	Marquette	Mike Reese
08–17–2008	Bayfield	Ryan Brady
08–16–2008	Jefferson	Tod Highsmith
08–16–2008	Green	Ann Thering and Dave Eide
08–15–2008	Bayfield	Ryan Brady
08–15–2008	Dane	Mike Reese
08–15–2008	Columbia	Mike Reese
08–14–2008	Portage	Mike Reese
08–11–2008	Iowa	Ann Thering
08–10–2008	Bayfield	Dave Hanson, David Bratley
08–10–2008	Bayfield	Ryan Brady
08–10–2008	Rock	Craig Ellefson
08–10–2008	Milwaukee	Judith Huf

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