The Variegated Fritillary is a warm tawny-orange butterfly with an intricate mosaic of darker markings and a distinctive lack of silver spots on the hindwing below, distinguishing it from true fritillaries. It is a strong migrant, expanding northward in summer and unable to survive cold winters. Its larvae can feed on a remarkably wide range of host plants.
Best time to see a Variegated Fritillary
The best time to see a Variegated Fritillary is May–September, when about 60% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 58,680 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
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