Variegated Fritillary

Euptoieta claudia

Identification: Medium—2.1” (just slightly larger than American Lady). Above: FW and HW with bands of yellowish to orange blocks bordered in black. Submarginal orangey blocks each contain a black dot. FW with black-ringed pale spot near center of leading edge. Below: Mottled browns and tans, with orange at the base of the FW and no silvery spots.

NJ Status and Distribution: Nonresident. A southern and western species whose population in NJ exhibits considerable annual fluctuation. Much more common from Monmouth and Burlington counties south, and usually uncommon to rare from Middlesex and Mercer north (but see Comments below).

Habitat: Open, sunny areas (often disturbed or rather barren) with wildflowers. Can be attracted to sunny gardens with nectar plants such as Purple Coneflower, milkweeds, and asters; and the host plant.

Flight Period: May into October but most common from mid-summer to early fall. Extreme dates: North Jersey 4/29—11/15; South Jersey 4/4—12/27.

Caterpillar Food Plants: Violets and pansies (Viola). In frost-free areas, Passionflowers (Passiflora) and possibly other species.

Overwintering Stage: Adult, but probably does not overwinter in NJ.

Good Locations: Higbee Beach WMA, Assunpink WMA.

Comments: This species has become more common in recent years and now is no longer considered to be a species to shout about even way up in Warren and Sussex counties. This northward range extension may be yet another example of the effects of our warming climate.

Duke Farms, Hillsborough Twp., Somerset Co., NJ, 7/27/19, nectaring on Purple Loosestrife.

Fredon Twp., Sussex Co., NJ, 7/5/11, on Oxeye.

Ovipositing on violet, Fredon Twp., Sussex Co., NJ, 7/19/16.

Late instar caterpillar of Variegated Fritillary.

Pupa, Cape May Co., NJ, 7/27/19.

Common Blue Violet (V. sororia), a caterpillar food plant for Variegated Fritillary.