Status: Breeding resident.

Distinguishing features: The dorsal wing surface is fulvous brown and slightly darker at the base. The forewing below is light brown with a darker apex. The hindwing below is dark brown with a hint of a limbal band. This species can be most readily distinguished from the great spangled fritillary by the dark spot on the rear side of the forewing above, between veins Cu2 and 2A. Subspecies (or form) alcestis is very dark below without a limbal band.

Distribution and habitat: Once found state wide, it is now infrequent and scattered only over the northern half of the state. These populations are restricted to high quality native prairie, prairie marsh, and fen habitats.

Natural History: Larvae consume violets. It is more uncommon in Iowa than its distribution map suggests, with many counties being represented by only single, small colonies. Populations seem to be small and isolated. Like many other insects they only use the portion of a preserved habitat that has the foodplant and ecological parameters they need, so the placement, timing and type of management is crucial to their survival on a site.