The Diana Fritillary is one of North America's most spectacular butterflies, with striking sexual dimorphism: males are tawny orange and black, while females mimic the Pipevine Swallowtail with iridescent blue-black hindwings. It is restricted to the Appalachian highlands and adjacent lowlands and is a species of conservation concern. Males emerge weeks before females each summer.
Best time to see a Diana Fritillary
The best time to see a Diana Fritillary is May–June, when about 67% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 2,725 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Diana Fritillary? What bug is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Diana Fritillary sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
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