Argynnis hyperbius

The Indian fritillary is a vibrant butterfly belonging to the nymphalid family, commonly known as brush-footed butterflies. You can observe this striking insect primarily in South and Southeast Asia, with its range extending even to Australia.

The male Indian fritillary displays rich orange-yellow forewings and lighter yellow hindwings, adorned with bold black spots. The females are equally stunning, featuring additional black and white patterns on their wings. These butterflies have a wingspan ranging between 80 to 98 mm, making them quite noticeable.

There are several subspecies of the Indian fritillary, each adapted to different regions. There’s ongoing debate among scientists regarding its classification. Some place it in its own genus, Argyreus, which is often considered synonymous with Argynnis.

The caterpillars of this butterfly are equally fascinating, with black bodies sprinkled with orange-tawny markings and covered in spines. When they transform into pupae, they adopt a pale Indian red color with faintly black-tipped spines.

You can find the Indian fritillary in locations such as the Himalayas, China, Taiwan (formerly known as Formosa), Sumatra, Java, and parts of Australia. Interestingly, in January 2020, these butterflies were also spotted in the United Arab Emirates, likely taking advantage of favorable conditions as opportunistic migrants.