The Northern Bog Violet

Each year, volunteers gather at our Mendon Meadows site to count the threatened Ute lady’s tresses as part of an ongoing citizen science project. Last year, board member Miriam Valere noticed many small orange butterflies nectaring heavily on goldenrod and blue vervain and flying near ground level throughout the meadow. Always interested in learning more about insects, Miriam took several photos of the butterfly and sent those to Lepidopterist Todd Stout for help with identification. The butterfly was identified as the Silver-

bordered Fritillary (Boloria myrina tollandensis). Although this is a common species in many parts of the United States, in Cache Valley its numbers are declining due to habitat loss.

This butterfly requires wet meadows to breed in, and its only host plant is the Northern Bog violet (Viola nephrophylla). Given the conditions at Mendon Meadows, and the abundance of butterflies being seen there late in the season, Miriam started to search for Viola nephrophylla and discovered it growing in several different locations. She also confirmed that this population was actively breeding by observing butterflies laying eggs on the leaves of the violet.

The larvae for this butterfly go into diapause in the third instar and hibernate overwinter. The following spring, they continue to feed and form their chrysalises after they reach their fifth instar. The adult butterflies will emerge from the chrysalis after about 10 days. Recently, Miriam went back to Mendon Meadows and located the Northern Bog violet in bloom. She is looking forward to watching the Silver-bordered Fritillaries again this summer, and plans to visit Mendon Meadows frequently to observe this species.