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.