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Scientific Name Euptoieta claudia Common Name Variegated Fritillary Habitat Prairie and alpine meadows, pastures, and roadsides; migratory and ubiquitous. Seasonality Migrants arrive in June, and their offspring emerge mid July to mid August, occasionally into Oct. Identification Unlike the Speyeria fritillaries, the underside lacks all silvery markings. The elongate forewing shape is also unique. There are no described subspecies. Life History

The pale green or cream-coloured eggs are laid singly (Scott 1986). Grown larvae are reddish with black and white bands and black spines (Layberry et al. 1998). The strikingly ornate pupa is shiny greenish-cream with…

The pale green or cream-coloured eggs are laid singly (Scott 1986). Grown larvae are reddish with black and white bands and black spines (Layberry et al. 1998). The strikingly ornate pupa is shiny greenish-cream with small black dots and gold tubercles (Scott 1986).

Read More + Conservation Not of concern. Diet Info

Scott (1986) lists many larval hosts in 10 different families, some of which are strictly tropical. Potential hosts that occur in Alberta include violets (Viola), plantain (Plantago), flax (Linum) and stonecrop…

Scott (1986) lists many larval hosts in 10 different families, some of which are strictly tropical. Potential hosts that occur in Alberta include violets (Viola), plantain (Plantago), flax (Linum) and stonecrop (Sedum). Gary Anweiler observed a female ovipositing on a tiny, unfurling violet leaf on a campground gravel pad near Trochu.

Read More + Range The distribution is centered on central America, ranging south to Argentina and occasionally migrating as far north as southern Canada. A single record from Churchill, Manitoba (Scott 1986, Layberry et al. 1998).