Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

  Sighting 1360833

Diana Fritillary
Speyeria diana

Observation date: June 25, 2023
Submitted by: James Steen
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: None.
Status: Stray
Verified by: James Steen
Verified date: June 25, 2023
Coordinator notes: No denying this species in pics. While working with my landscaping this male Diana Fritillary landed not 4 feet from me on a coneflower, I had no phone nor net. His hind wings were very tattered. The adrenaline kicked in me so I slowly walked away to retrieve both phone and net. Coming back the butterfly was gone, but I'm one of few homes with nectar sources so waited. He returned but would not allow me within 10 feet of him. I took these pics from afar sadly, then tried to net him to verify and release, getting a very nice pic. You have one chance normally and I rarely miss, but I did and he rapidly flew away forever. But - as I said, NO denying the species and sex from images. I'm aware of two previous verified S. diana from Sedgwick County to my south - both males. This is a COUNTY RECORD for Harvey County. Because of his tattered condition I'll recorr this as a stray. Though I'd be on the lookout to perhaps find a fresh individual, but likely all are simply long strays from our SE. But just perhaps there is an isolated pocket population of these beautiful Fritillary butterflies.
Checklist region(s): Harvey County, Kansas, United States