Aphrodite Fritillary (Argynnis aphrodite, Speyeria aphrodite)

Common in the mountains of NC, this species is similar in appearance to Great Spangled Fritillary, and careful study is usually required to differentiate the two in the field.

The best field mark is that this species has a narrow light yellowish submarginal border between the silver spots on the underside of the hindwing. (Great Spangled shows a wide light orange band there.)

Although single brooded, this large, showy butterfly flies from May into September and is often found in the same meadows as Great Spangleds.

Recent publications suggest the genus Speyeria is better treated as a subgenus of Argynnis.

Aphrodite Fritillary (Argynnis aphrodite) Aphrodite Fritillary (Argynnis aphrodite)
Ashe Co., NC
12 July 2008
Aphrodite Fritillary (Argynnis aphrodite) Aphrodite Fritillary (Argynnis aphrodite)
Ashe Co., NC
12 July 2008
Aphrodite Fritillary (Argynnis aphrodite) Aphrodite Fritillary (Argynnis aphrodite) Aphrodite Fritillary (Argynnis aphrodite)
Buncombe Co., NC
13 July 2011
Aphrodite Fritillary (Argynnis aphrodite) Aphrodite Fritillary (Argynnis aphrodite)
Aphrodite Fritillary (Argynnis aphrodite)
Ashe Co., NC
12 July 2008		 Aphrodite Fritillary (Argynnis aphrodite)
Ashe Co., NC
12 July 2008
Aphrodite Fritillary (Argynnis aphrodite) Aphrodite Fritillary (Argynnis aphrodite)
Aphrodite Fritillary (Argynnis aphrodite)
Alleghany Co., NC
1 July 2006		 Aphrodite Fritillary (Argynnis aphrodite)
Alleghany Co., NC
1 July 2006
Aphrodite Fritillary (Argynnis aphrodite aphrodite)
Watauga Co., NC
23 Aug 2016
Aphrodite Fritillary (Argynnis aphrodite aphrodite)
Wilkes Co., NC
24 Aug 2016
Aphrodite Fritillary (Argynnis aphrodite) Aphrodite Fritillary (Argynnis aphrodite)

The late Ron Gatrelle suggested to me that these individuals are likely intergrades between two subspecies: (Argynnis aphrodite aphrodite) and (Argynnis aphrodite cullasaja) but are closer to the former.

Aphrodite Fritillary (Argynnis aphrodite)
Watauga Co., NC
27 June 2004		 Aphrodite Fritillary (Argynnis aphrodite)
Watauga Co., NC
27 June 2004
Aphrodite Fritillary (Argynnis aphrodite)
Luskville, Pontiac Co., Quebec
15 July 2018
Aphrodite Fritillary (Argynnis aphrodite) Aphrodite Fritillary (Argynnis aphrodite)
Aphrodite Fritillary (Argynnis aphrodite alcestis)
Allegan Co., MI
5 July 2004		 Aphrodite Fritillary (Argynnis aphrodite alcestis)
Allegan Co., MI
5 July 2004
Aphrodite Fritillary (Argynnis aphrodite ethne)
Royal Gorge, Fremont Co., CO
11 July 2016
Aphrodite Fritillary (Argynnis aphrodite ethne)
Rock Creek, El Paso Co., CO
9 July 2016

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Created on ... July 16, 2004 | jeffpippen9@gmail.com