Relict Fritillary - Hodges#4468
Boloria kriemhild
This record describes Boloria kriemhild (species). Recorded family: Nymphalidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Extremely similar to, and perhaps best treated as a subspecies of Boloria epithore . Best distinguished by where found ( B. epithore occurs further to the north and west), but differing in less dark scaling than usual on the upper surface in B. epithore , and more strongly contrasting ventral pattern with a clear yellow median band on the hind wing (usually suffused with brown scaling in B. epithore , as well as other closely similar species). Like the most similar species ( B. bellona, frigga, improba, and epithore ), B. kriemhild has the dark submarginal spots above either oval or angled outward in the middle (also below, but less obvious). In contrast these spots on most Boloria species form distinctly inward pointing chevrons or triangles. Other Boloria species likely found with B. kriemhild , and most likely to be confused are B. frigga (whitish spot at upper edge near base of under hind wing is longer and often bolder) and B. bellona (fore wing is shaped differently). B. frigga is more tied to bogs with associated brush, while B. bellona often favors more open areas further from trees.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Papilionoidea
- Family
- Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies)
- Subfamily
- Heliconiinae
- Tribe
- Argynnini
- Genus
- Boloria (Lesser Fritillaries)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Moist mountain meadows, usually near or in openings in woodland or forest.
Geographic Range
Rocky Mountains from southern Montana to northern Utah, and perhaps into Colorado. Supposedly originally described from Utah, Arizona, and southwestern Colorado, but never found in Arizona or Colorado since (those particular original specimens were almost certainly mislabelled). If it is to be found in Colorado, it would most likely be in the extreme northwest corner at the east end of the Uintah Mountains where suitable habitat does occur.
Seasonal Activity
adults June to August
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Viola species
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Boloria kriemhild. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Relict Fritillary - Hodges#4468 (4)
Photo credits: Contributed by David J. Ferguson; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz
Frequently Asked Questions About Relict Fritillary - Hodges#4468
What is Relict Fritillary - Hodges#4468?
Relict Fritillary - Hodges#4468 (Boloria kriemhild) is a species in the family Nymphalidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How do you identify Relict Fritillary - Hodges#4468?
Extremely similar to, and perhaps best treated as a subspecies of Boloria epithore . Best distinguished by where found ( B. epithore occurs further to the north and west), but differing in less dark scaling than usual on the upper surface in B. epithore , and more strongly contrasting ventral pattern with a clear yellow median band on the hind wing (usually suffused with brown scaling in B. epithore , as well as other closely similar species). Like the most similar species ( B. bellona, frigga, improba, and epithore ), B. kriemhild has the dark submarginal spots above either oval or angled outward in the middle (also below, but less obvious). In contrast these spots on most Boloria species form distinctly inward pointing chevrons or triangles. Other Boloria species likely found with B. kriemhild , and most likely to be confused are B. frigga (whitish spot at upper edge near base of under hind wing is longer and often bolder) and B. bellona (fore wing is shaped differently). B. frigga is more tied to bogs with associated brush, while B. bellona often favors more open areas further from trees.
Where is Relict Fritillary - Hodges#4468 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Moist mountain meadows, usually near or in openings in woodland or forest. |
| Range | Rocky Mountains from southern Montana to northern Utah, and perhaps into Colorado. Supposedly originally described from Utah, Arizona, and southwestern Colorado, but never found in Arizona or Colorado since (those particular original specimens were almost certainly mislabelled). If it is to be found in Colorado, it would most likely be in the extreme northwest corner at the east end of the Uintah Mountains where suitable habitat does occur. |
What does Relict Fritillary - Hodges#4468 eat?
The diet of the Relict Fritillary - Hodges#4468 includes Viola species.
When is Relict Fritillary - Hodges#4468 active?
Relict Fritillary - Hodges#4468: seasonal activity - adults June to August.