Great Spangled Fritillary
(Speyeria cybele)
Great Spangled Fritillary sightings, by week (about)
Click to enlargeMuir Lake SNA, Marquette Co., WI, July 13, 2003.
Click to enlargePoygan Marsh, Waushara Co., WI, July 3, 2005.
Click to enlargeRocky Run Oak Savanna SNA, Columbia Co., WI, July 18, 2005.
Click to enlargeSame individual as the photo above, Rocky Run Oak Savanna SNA, Columbia Co., WI, July 18, 2005.
Click to enlargePentenwell Dam area, Juneau Co., WI, August 17, 2005.
Click to enlargeBohn Lake area, Waushara Co., WI, July 5, 2005.
Click to enlarge2 miles NE of Goodman, off Shrine Rd., Marinette Co., WI. July 24, 2004.
The Great Spangled Fritillary is found throughout the state from late June through August and into early September. The species is long-lived and many individuals that are found in late August and September are very worn with frayed and even missing parts and wings. They are often seen at nectar sources such as Common Milkweed, thistles, or Joe-Pye-Weed with the Aphrodite Fritillary, and in the north the Atlantis Fritillary.
Identifying characteristics: Above, this species is orange with a variety of black markings, but is noticeably darker near the body, especially in fresh individuals. Below, this species is easily told by the wide, light band on the hind wing.
Similar species: From below this species is unlike any other species in Wisconsin. From above it may easily be confused with both the Aphrodite and Atlantis Fritillaries. The Atlantis appears much darker than the other Fritillaries because it has darkened wing veins on the front wing and nearly solid, black wing margins. The Aphrodite Fritillary is usually lighter with an extra black mark near the base, often resembling a checkmark. This is somewhat hard to discern in some individuals, especially worn ones, but is reliable only if clearly observed.
Habitat: Open fields and woodland edges. Can be found in both wet and dry habitats.
Flight: One brood. Has been observed from mid-June until late September. In 2004, a very worn individual was observed on September 26.
Abundance: Common throughout Wisconsin. This species is undoubtedly found in all counties.
Recent Great Spangled Fritillary Sightings
| Date seen | County | Reported by |
|---|---|---|
| Yesterday | Bayfield | Ryan Brady |
| Yesterday | Portage | Wayne Anderson |
| Yesterday | Iowa | Ann Thering and Dave Eide |
| Yesterday | Shawano | Rose Tiegs |
| Monday | Dane | Jorgen Goderstad |
| 07–12–2008 | Wood | Ron Arnold |
| 07–12–2008 | Iowa | SWBA Field Trip, 18 participants |
| 07–12–2008 | Ozaukee | Judith Huf |
| 07–12–2008 | Ozaukee | Judith Huf |
| 07–10–2008 | Portage | Wayne Anderson |
| 07–10–2008 | Dane | Ann Thering |
| 07–09–2008 | Crawford | Mike Reese |
| 07–09–2008 | Dane | Ann Thering |
| 07–08–2008 | Dane | Tom Poklen |
| 07–08–2008 | Sauk | Andy Paulios |
| 07–06–2008 | Columbia | Mike Reese |
| 07–06–2008 | Dane | Joan Braune, Tod Highsmith and Mary Dykstra |
| 07–05–2008 | Dane | Jorgen Goderstad |
| 07–04–2008 | Marquette | Mike Reese |
| 07–04–2008 | Iowa | Ann Thering and Dave Eide |
| 07–04–2008 | Dane | Joan Braune and Tod Highsmith |
| 07–04–2008 | Sauk | Wayne Anderson |
| 07–03–2008 | Wood | Ron Arnold, Ann Thering, Mike Reese |
| 07–01–2008 | Dane | Ann Thering |
Submit a Great Spangled Fritillary sighting »
Great Spangled Fritillary
Speyeria cybele