Common Name: Zerene Fritillary
On our transect, a rather uncommon species but seen at all the Sierran sites mainly in the second half of the season; females often fly well into autumn. Visits Giant Hyssop, Thistles, Milkweed, Alfalfa, Rabbitbrush and other rather tall flowers. All of our populations, including Sierra Valley, are very ruddy above and purplish beneath and well-silvered ("near conchyliatus"). As in all Speyeria, one brood; larval hosts Violets, species undetermined. A species of meadows, wood roads and open conifer forest.