(when it comes to butterflies); we seem to have
garnered a generous share of fritillary species !
Basically, any states west of the Mississippi river
have a preponderance of fritillary species as well
as numerous named subspecies. East of the mighty
mississippi we still experiance a reasonable number
of fritillaries and all are "flighty" and attractive
in field.
Perhaps, it could be said that all the vast stretches
of land once nothing more than open "natural" prairie
(thru time) has provided the catalyst for such speciation.
Nevertheless, we have some outstanding "gems" amongst
our fritillary holdings and one of those highlights is the
incomparable Regal Fritillary( Speyeria idalia).
The species haunts have been much reduced over these
last 40 or so years (at least). However, it still has some
strongholds and in some places it is protected and for-
bidden to be collected. Yet, in other spaces not so much.
I thought I would show you not only a particularly choice
(female) representative of the species but, also the largest
female example that I have. This (queen) measures 89mm
at the outstretched wings. She was collected by a good
friend who happens to have a field nearby his home (here
in Illinois) which still produces this lovely butterfly.
