Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

Hydaspe Fritillary
Speyeria hydaspe (Boisduval, 1869)


Family: Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Heliconiinae
Identification: Upperside orange-brown with dark bases and heavy dark markings. Underside light brown to dark maroon with violet tinge. Hindwing submarginal band slightly paler than rest of wing; spots cream-colored, bordered with black, and may or may not be silvered.
Wing Span: 2 - 2 1/2 inches (5 - 6.4 cm).
Life History: Eggs are laid near host plants. Unfed, first-stage caterpillars hibernate; in the spring they eat leaves.
Flight: One brood from June-September.
Caterpillar Hosts: Violets including Viola adunca, V. glabella, V. nuttallii, V. orbiculata, and V. purpurea.
Adult Food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Moist forest openings and mountain meadows.
Range: British Columbia east to Alberta, south to southern California, Idaho, Montana, and New Mexico.
Conservation: Not usually of concern.
NCGR: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: None reported.
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