Variegated Fritillary
Euptoieta claudia
Last reviewed: June 2026
Variegated Fritillary is known for its Orange wings with complex black lace-like patterns.
Host plants
Variegated Fritillary caterpillars can only develop on their larval host plants. Plant one of these natives and you can host the full life cycle in your own yard (host plant associations per the Xerces Society (opens in new tab)).
- Common Blue Violet (Viola sororia)
- Prairie Violet (Viola pedatifida)
- Purple Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)
Want Variegated Fritillary in your yard? Open Common Blue Violet in Pollinator Patch and plan an HOA-friendly garden around it for your region.
Family
Nymphalidae
Wingspan
48–74 mm
Active
March through October
Range
TX, AL, AR, AZ and 38 more states
How to identify it
Look for orange wings with black veining and borders, with distinct silver spots on the underside of hindwings.
Good to know
- Caterpillars are spiny and orange with black markings
- Females lay eggs singly on host plant leaves
- Can produce multiple generations per year
Common questions
- What do Variegated Fritillary caterpillars eat?
- Variegated Fritillary caterpillars feed on Viola sororia, Viola pedatifida, and Passiflora incarnata. These are the larval host plants the caterpillars must have to develop, per the Xerces Society and host plant records compiled from GBIF and iNaturalist.
- Where do Variegated Fritillary live?
- Variegated Fritillary is found across TX, AL, AR, AZ and 38 more states.
- When are Variegated Fritillary active?
- Adult Variegated Fritillary are typically on the wing from March through October.
Range and life-history data compiled from iNaturalist, GBIF, and the Xerces Society. Photo licensed cc-by-nc.