Arctic Fritillary
(Boloria chariclea)
Fritillaries
Appearance: A lesser fritillary, variable. Above, orange with black markings and solid black dots in the median band. Below, reddish brown with white or cream colored cells forming a median band with the central cell being sharply pointed.
Wingspan: Medium; 1 3/8 to 1 1/2 inches.
Habitat: Subalpine and Alpine meadows, marshes, streams and bogs.
Flight Times: July to early September; 1 brood.
Larval Foodplant: Willows, violets, American bistort and possibly blueberries (Opler).
Did You Know…
Some lesser fritillaries are biennial, flying only every other year in some regions. They can be difficult to identify because of their constant movement and the similarity of their dorsal sides. Their undersides are distinctive, but difficult to see. Finally, they are similar in size to crescents and checkerspots.
