A Silvery Spangler...

[trehopr1]

North America's Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele) is
a widespread species which prefers moist meadows and woodland edges.
It is easily the most common (larger) species of fritillary to
be encountered by collector or butterfly enthusiast alike.

There are 3 species of native violets which serve as the larval
food source. The species has prospered across America such that
several subspecies have been named by various lepidopterists.

In terms of size the (females) certainly can get impressive with
large ones every bit the size of a monarch. Great spangled's are
early to mid-summer butterflies. They begin to appear in mid-June
and can still be found at mid-late July.

Below, is a photo of a large "fresh" female which
I managed to catch on June.17.2021

Wingspan: 80.7cm (wingtip-wingtip)
Forewing: 40.8cm.



I thought an underside view of this magnificent species
best illustrates the splendor this butterfly possesses.

As always, with wild caught things getting that item
on day1, 2, or 3 is best because beyond that their colors
dull somewhat and wing-wear rapidly shows.

[yorky]

Females are huge, mine dwarfs all of my others including female diana.

[58chevy]

I caught some big ones years ago in Arkansas. After looking at trehopr's picture, I think I'll try to remove the pin on one of them and mount it upside down.

[bugboys3]

I have seen more S. cybele this summer in my garden than I have in a very long time.
I caught a large female last week nectaring on my Butterfly bush (Buddleia) and have seen
one really fresh female this week.

[gaspipe]

Aug 27, 2021 10:19:33 GMT -8 bugboys3 said:

I have seen more S. cybele this summer in my garden than I have in a very long time.
I caught a large female last week nectaring on my Butterfly bush (Buddleia) and have seen
one really fresh female this week.

Yes I find it interesting some females still look decent this time of year . My thought is they have been under cover laying eggs and maybe this minimizes wing wear ?

[mothman55]

The Cybele on the left is from a trip to West Virginia in 1986. They grow big down there, this one is 9cm as per the ruler tip to tip. A collecting trip hosted by Tom Allen in which the highlight was a multitude of speyeria diana.

Up here in Ontario, they don't get nearly as large, a good size one on the right is 7cm.

[trehopr1]

Wow, you're right -- they sure do make them big in West Virginia !

[58chevy]

My biggest Arkansas specimen measures 85mm, wingtip-to-wingtip. The forewing measurement is 50mm.

[trehopr1]

Another impressive one indeed.

Man, southern states sure have some "titanic" ones.

And I thought the one I pictured was large...