Species Details
Speyeria hesperis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »
Common NameNorthwestern Fritillary
SeasonalityThe single annual flight peaks from late June to early August, depending on habitat.
IdentificationVery similar to S. atlantis, with which it was considered to be conspecific until recently (Scott et al. 1998). The Northwestern is slightly smaller than Atlantis, with a more pointed forewing shape and less upperside black markings, particularly along the wing margin. The hindwing underside is more reddish or rust brown, not chocolate-brown as in Atlantis.
Subspecies beani of the mountain region has a darker ventral hindwing than the prairie dennisi ( = helena). See Scott et al. (1998) for a taxonomic assessment of this group.
Scientific Name
Speyeria hesperis
Common Name
Northwestern Fritillary
Habitat
Clearings, meadows and open woods throughout the province.
Seasonality
The single annual flight peaks from late June to early August, depending on habitat.
Identification
Very similar to S. atlantis, with which it was considered to be conspecific until recently (Scott et al. 1998). The Northwestern is slightly smaller than Atlantis, with a more pointed forewing shape and less upperside…
Very similar to S. atlantis, with which it was considered to be conspecific until recently (Scott et al. 1998). The Northwestern is slightly smaller than Atlantis, with a more pointed forewing shape and less upperside black markings, particularly along the wing margin. The hindwing underside is more reddish or rust brown, not chocolate-brown as in Atlantis.
Subspecies beani of the mountain region has a darker ventral hindwing than the prairie dennisi ( = helena). See Scott et al. (1998) for a taxonomic assessment of this group.
Life History
The mature larvae are solid black with spiny protuberances (Guppy & Shepard 2001). This is our commonest and most widespread Speyeria.
Conservation
Not of concern.
Diet Info
Larvae feed on violets in BC (Guppy & Shepard 2001), and adults are avid flower visitors.
Range
Central Yukon south to CA and CO, east to Manitoba.
Citation
Page Citation for Speyeria hesperis
Page Citation
"Species Details - Speyeria hesperis, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-2837. Accessed 19 May. 2024.
References
Author
Guppy, Crispin S. and Jon H. Shepard
Title
Butterflies of British Columbia.
Publication Date
2001
Pages
414
Author
Scott, J.A., N.G. Kondla and S.M. Spomer
Title
Speyeria hesperis and Speyeria atlantis are distinct species.
Publication Date
1998
Series Title
Papilio (New Series)
Volume
8
Pages
1-26
Author
Layberry, Ross A.; Hall, Peter W. and J. Donald LaFontaine
Title
The Butterflies of Canada
Publication Date
1998
Pages
280
Specimen Information
There are 86 specimens of this Species.
UASM21665 - Speyeria hesperis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1945-07-12
UASM21666 - Speyeria hesperis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Devon
Collected ByGriffiths, Graham C. D.
Date Collected1980-08-11
UASM21667 - Speyeria hesperis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1909-07-25
UASM21668 - Speyeria hesperis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1918-06-10
UASM21669 - Speyeria hesperis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Golden Spike
Collected ByPatterson, E.
Date Collected1957-07-11
UASM21670 - Speyeria hesperis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Tawatinaw
Collected ByHocking, Brian
Date Collected1956-09-20
UASM21671 - Speyeria hesperis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Devon
Collected ByGriffiths, Graham C. D.
Date Collected1980-07-11
UASM21672 - Speyeria hesperis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByHowatt
UASM21673 - Speyeria hesperis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Cooking Lake
Date Collected1918-07-06
UASM21674 - Speyeria hesperis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Cooking Lake
Date Collected1918-07-04
UASM21675 - Speyeria hesperis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Cooking Lake
Date Collected1918-07-15
UASM21676 - Speyeria hesperis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Date Collected1915-07-13
UASM21677 - Speyeria hesperis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Cooking Lake
Date Collected1918-07-05
UASM21678 - Speyeria hesperis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, McLeod
Date Collected1925-07-12
UASM21679 - Speyeria hesperis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Banff National Park, Banff
Date Collected1926-07-14
UASM21680 - Speyeria hesperis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Banff National Park, Banff
Date Collected1926-07-14
UASM21681 - Speyeria hesperis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Bragg Creek
Collected ByJ. B.
Date Collected1971-07-02
UASM21682 - Speyeria hesperis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Blackfalds
Date Collected1904-08-07
UASM21683 - Speyeria hesperis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Hillcrest
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1921-06-24
UASM21684 - Speyeria hesperis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Blackfalds
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1904-07-02
UASM21685 - Speyeria hesperis
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Hillcrest
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1921-06-26