Common NameMormon FritillarySeasonalityOne flight, peak emergence ranging from early July to mid August depending on elevation.IdentificationThis fritillary is the smallest of the genus (wingspan 40 - 50 mm), and it's small size, orange upperside ground colour and straw and green underside are good diagnostic characters.
This is a variable species, and alpine populations tend to be darker ventrally and dorsally. Subspecies eurynome is the name associated with Alberta populations.
Scientific NameSpeyeria mormoniaCommon Name
Mormon Fritillary
Habitat
Mountain meadows and prairie grasslands.
Seasonality
One flight, peak emergence ranging from early July to mid August depending on elevation.
Identification
This fritillary is the smallest of the genus (wingspan 40 - 50 mm), and it's small size, orange upperside ground colour and straw and green underside are good diagnostic characters.
This is a variable species, and…
This fritillary is the smallest of the genus (wingspan 40 - 50 mm), and it's small size, orange upperside ground colour and straw and green underside are good diagnostic characters.
This is a variable species, and alpine populations tend to be darker ventrally and dorsally. Subspecies eurynome is the name associated with Alberta populations.
Life History
The larvae are black and spiny, typical of the genus. There are two pale yellow dorsal lines (Guppy & Shepard 2001). The Mormon Fritillary is equally at home on dry prairie and alpine and subalpine meadows.
Conservation
Not of concern.
Diet Info
Larvae reportedly feed on violets (Guppy & Shepard 2001), although some mountain populations may use other plants where violets are not available (Bird et al. 1995).
Range
AK south to CA, NM, and AZ (Scott 1986), east to southwestern Manitoba (Layberry et al. 1998).
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Citation
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Page Citation for Speyeria mormonia
Page Citation
"Species Details - Speyeria mormonia, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-2839. Accessed 13 Jan. 2025.
References
AuthorBird, C. D., G.J. Hilchie, N.G. Kondla, E.M. Pike and F. A. H. Sperling
TitleAlberta Butterflies
Publication Date1995
Pages349
AuthorGuppy, Crispin S. and Jon H. Shepard
TitleButterflies of British Columbia.
Publication Date2001
Pages414
AuthorLayberry, Ross A.; Hall, Peter W. and J. Donald LaFontaine
TitleThe Butterflies of Canada
Publication Date1998
Pages280
AuthorScott, J. A.
TitleThe Butterflies of North America : a natural history and field guide
Publication Date1986
Pages583 pp.
Specimen Information
There are 2 specimens of this Species.
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2 results plotted on map in 2 markers. Note: Only records with latitude and longitude coordinates are plotted on map.