Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

Pacific Fritillary
Boloria epithore (W.H. Edwards, 1864)


Family: Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Heliconiinae
Identification: Tip of forewing rounded. Upperside bright orange; black markings large on basal half of wing, small on outer half. Underside orange with purple-brown markings; hindwing with postmedian row of dark circles.
Wing Span: 1 3/8 - 1 3/4 inches (3.5 - 4.5 cm).
Life History: Males patrol for females all day in woods and meadows. Overwintering is by fourth-stage caterpillars.
Flight: One flight from May-August.
Caterpillar Hosts: Violets including Viola ocellata, V. sempervirens, and V. glabella.
Adult Food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Openings in moist forests, wet meadows, streamsides.
Range: Central British Columbia east and south to Alberta and Montana, south along Pacific Coast to central California.
Conservation: Populations in California's Santa Cruz Mountains are limited and may be in jeopardy.
NCGR: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: Inventory and monitor limited populations and propose any necessary conservation actions.
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