Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

Silver-bordered Fritillary
Boloria selene ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775)


Family: Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Heliconiinae
Identification: Upperside orange with black markings. Underside of hindwing with rows of metallic silver spots; postmedian spots small and black.
Wing Span: 1 3/8 - 2 1/8 inches (3.5 - 5.4 cm).
Life History: Males patrol wet areas for females. Eggs are laid singly near host plants. Caterpillars feed on leaves; third-stage caterpillars hibernate.
Flight: One flight from June-July in the north, two to three flights from May-September in the east.
Caterpillar Hosts: Violets including Viola glabella and V. nephrophylla.
Adult Food: Favorite nectar sources are composite flowers, including goldenrod and black-eyed susans.
Habitat: Wet meadows, bogs, marshes.
Range: Holarctic. Central Alaska southeast through Canada south of the taiga; northern United States from central Washington south along Rocky Mountains to northern New Mexico; east to Illinois, Virginia, and Maryland.
Conservation: Not usually of concern, but isolated populations in plains and east of the Cascades should be conserved.
NCGR: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: Protect habitat of selected populations.
Alternate Scientific Names:
Clossiana selene
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