Latin Name:  Speyeria cybele pseudocarpenterii (Chermock & Chermock, 1940), (R. Bercha, det.)

Wingspan:  55 - 65  mm

Range:  Southern half of Alberta

Habitat:  Grasslands, meadows, cutlines, pasture and forest edges.

Time of year seen:  June to September (Additional Sightings)

Preferred Flowers: Alfalfa, Bergamot, Thistles & Milkweed

Caterpillar's Diet: Violets

Other:  The Great Spangled Fritillary is found across Canada and down into the United States.  It is our largest Fritillary reaching up to 65mm in wingspan. There are two sub-species in Alberta: S. Cybele pseudocarpenterii and S. cybele leto.  The first is found in Southern Alberta and west into British Columbia and the second in the great plains. (Bird et al, 1995)