| Diana Fritillary | |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Living specimen | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Nymphalidae |
| Genus: | Speyeria |
| Species: | S. diana |
| Binomial name | |
| Speyeria diana (Cramer, 1779)[1] |
|
The Diana Fritillary (Speyeria diana) is a dimorphic butterfly found in several wooded areas in southern and eastern North America (primarily in the Arkansas River valley, several counties in South Carolina, and spots along the Appalachian mountain range). The butterfly is the official insect of the state of Arkansas. Males of the species exhibit an orange color on the edges of their wings, with a burnt orange underwing which does not have the typical silver scales found in most fritillary species. The female is dark blue, with dark, almost dusty underwings[2] and is much larger than the male.
The larvae feed on violet leaves. Dianas are unusual in that they do not lay eggs directly on the host plant, instead scattering the eggs around the plant. Upon hatching larva burrow into the ground over winter to emerge in spring. Adults feed on flower nectar and dung.[2]