Observation date: June 28, 2018
Submitted by: taogirl
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: None.
Status: Resident
Verified by: A_baldini
Verified date: July 27, 2018
Coordinator notes: This is actually a member of the lesser fritillaries (genus Boloria). There are two primary ways to tell the greater (genus Speyeria) and lesser fritillaries apart: size and the ventral hindwing. Lesser fritillaries are quite small, about the same size as crescents and checkerspots (1-2 inch wingspan), while greater fritillaries are significantly larger (2.5-4 inch wingspan). Secondly, the ventral hindwing has a completely unique look compared to greater fritillaries; in fact, it resembles the ventral hindwing of many checkerspots much more closely. This one is an Arctic Fritillary nectaring on a white clover. The other lesser fritillary in Mesa County, the Meadow Fritillary, is less common, and has significant marking differences on the dorsal side.
