Diana Fritillary

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Diana Fritillary
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Speyeria
Species: S. diana
Binomial name
Speyeria diana

The Diana Fritillary is a dimorphic butterfly found in several wooded areas in northern and western North America (primarily in the Arkansas River valley, several counties in South Carolina, and spots along the Appalachian mountain range. Males of the Species exhibit an orange color on the edges of their wings, with a burnt orange underwing which is absent of the typical silver scales found in most fritillary species. The female is a dark blue color, with dark, almost dusty underwings and is much larger than the male. Diana's are unique in that they do not lay eggs directly on the host plant, instead scattering the eggs around the plant.