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Arctic Fritillary
Boloria chariclea
- Family: Brushfooted Butterflies (Four-footed Butterflies) – Nymphalidae
- Subfamily: Heliconians (Longwings) – Heliconiinae
- Wing span: Small(–medium-sized), 32–43 mm (1.25–1.64 in.). Females usually larger than males.
- Wing upper side: Orange with black blotches.
- Wing underside: Forewing orange with black blotches and spots. Hind wing rust-red. Basal half with three strips, rust-red bordered on both sides by white strips that can fragment into individual blotches. Outer half with white margin blotches, and unclear blotches and light-coloured embroidery on their basal side.
- Habitat: Fell heaths above tree-line.
- Flying time: Early July.
- Overwintering form: Caterpillar.
- Larval foodplant: No confirmed information, possibly yellow wood violet (Viola biflora) and Arctic white heather (Cassiope tetragona).
- Endangerment: Endangered.
The Arctic fritillary can only be found in northern Lapland. It can be recognized by a combination of characteristics: the edge of the upper surface of the wings have a row of black, triangular blotches, and the underside of the hind wing is rust-red with white strips or blotches which lack clear black borders.
Males fly around looking for females. Females lay their eggs individually close to the foodplant.
Other species from the same genus
Other species from the same group
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