Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

  Sighting 1175677

Mormon Fritillary
Speyeria mormonia

Observation date: July 17, 2018
Submitted by: Lisahug
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: in wet parts of an alpine meadow. I am not sure of this ID. I have very little experience with frittilaries. It was very light orange in flight. photos are of the same individual. saw 2 or 3 of these.
Status: Resident
Verified by: A_baldini
Verified date: August 13, 2018
Coordinator notes: Nice job correctly identifying this as the Mormon Fritillary, the only greater fritillary that inhabits the Colorado alpine. Some lesser fritillaries are also found in the alpine (mainly the Arctic Fritillary), but their ventral sides look completely different from the greater fritillaries'. Due to the harsh alpine climate, this species only has one flight in Colorado during the hottest part of the year, usually mid-July through early September. This individual is one of the year's earlier fliers.
Checklist region(s): Summit County, United States, Colorado