Adiaste Fritillary - Hodges#4458.1
Speyeria adiaste
This record describes Speyeria adiaste (species). Recorded family: Nymphalidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Easily identified by where found, broad squarish wings, pale coloring with relatively delicate black patterning above and barely contrasting pattern on a tan ventral. Closely related to S. hydaspe and displacing it to the south. Quite similar, but with much more washed out less contrasting pattern, and paler less reddish coloring.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Papilionoidea
- Family
- Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies)
- Subfamily
- Heliconiinae
- Tribe
- Argynnini
- Genus
- Speyeria (Greater Fritillaries)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
In near coastal Mountains of southern California from San Mateo County south to San Luis Obispo County.
Seasonal Activity
Adults mostly in June - July, females sometimes seen as late as September
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Two subspecies are recognized, with subspecies adiaste occurring in the north (pale brownish below), subspecies clemencei further south (not reliably distinguishable except by locality, but averaging slightly paler) This species has been associated with S. egleis , but is actually not very similar, and not closely related. Speyeria zerene atoss from further to the southeast was until recently considered to belong to this species, but DNA study and more in depth morphological study has shown it was misplaced. The subspecies atossa is believed to now be extinct.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Speyeria adiaste. 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 Adiaste Fritillary - Hodges#4458.1 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by David J. Ferguson; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz
Frequently Asked Questions About Adiaste Fritillary - Hodges#4458.1
What is Adiaste Fritillary - Hodges#4458.1?
Adiaste Fritillary - Hodges#4458.1 (Speyeria adiaste) is a species in the family Nymphalidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How do you identify Adiaste Fritillary - Hodges#4458.1?
Easily identified by where found, broad squarish wings, pale coloring with relatively delicate black patterning above and barely contrasting pattern on a tan ventral. Closely related to S. hydaspe and displacing it to the south. Quite similar, but with much more washed out less contrasting pattern, and paler less reddish coloring.
Where is Adiaste Fritillary - Hodges#4458.1 found?
Range: In near coastal Mountains of southern California from San Mateo County south to San Luis Obispo County.
When is Adiaste Fritillary - Hodges#4458.1 active?
Adiaste Fritillary - Hodges#4458.1: seasonal activity - Adults mostly in June - July, females sometimes seen as late as September.