Wing span: 3.5-4.5 cm.

Flight time: Probably three broods, the first emerging from late-May through mid-June, the second from early to late-July, and from late-August through mid-September.

Status: Breeding resident.

Distinguishing features: Wings above are orange with black marks. The hindwing below is patchy orange and brown with three rows of silver spots and several more spots in the basal area.

Distribution and habitat: Infrequently seen in the northeastern third of Iowa where the bulk of populations are limited to fen areas. Some additional populations occur in wet prairies and meadows.

Natural History: Larvae consume violets, likely favoring the fen violet (Viola nephrophylla). Adults rarely stray beyond the margins of fen sites, and may be restricted to patches less than a few thousand square meters in size.