fritillary
noun
frit·il·lary
ˈfri-tə-ˌler-ē 
plural fritillaries
1
2
: any of numerous nymphalid butterflies (Argynnis, Speyeria, and related genera) that usually are orange with black spots on the upper side of both wings and silver spotted on the underside of the hind wing
Examples of fritillary in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Regal fritillaries, the iconic butterflies of Iowa, are facing an increasing threat of population decline.
—
Linh Ta, Axios, 4 Sep. 2024
In Nebraska, scientists working for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission are increasingly relying on casual researchers and citizen scientists to better understand three creatures in particular: spotted skunks, salamanders, and regal fritillary and monarch butterflies.
—Guest, Discover Magazine, 19 Apr. 2019
Sébastien Blomme won the highly competitive Plants category with his photograph of a delicate Snake’s-head fritillary framed by the distant shape of a tree.
—Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 5 Feb. 2023
Regal fritillary butterflies, which subsist on violets and stick to prairie habitats, are disappearing.
—From Usa Today Network and Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 20 Apr. 2022
Gulf fritillary butterflies are orange like monarchs and queens.
—Calvin Finch, San Antonio Express-News, 4 June 2021
The fritillary is similar and as striking as the monarch, which will arrive by the thousands to Crow-Hassan at the end of August to feed on the spiky blazing stars — also intentionally planted for them.
—Bob Timmons, Star Tribune, 31 July 2020
Specifically, BBC News mentions that the openings created by bison could allow plants such as cow wheat to grow, adding that a rare butterfly called the heath fritillary depends on the plant.
—Alex Fox, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 July 2020
Andrew Fusek Peters spent two hours in the Shropshire hills to capture the images, one of which shows the exact moment a fritillary leaves a thistle at the Brook Vessons nature reserve.
—Fox News, 30 June 2020
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Linh Ta, Axios, 4 Sep. 2024
In Nebraska, scientists working for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission are increasingly relying on casual researchers and citizen scientists to better understand three creatures in particular: spotted skunks, salamanders, and regal fritillary and monarch butterflies.
—Guest, Discover Magazine, 19 Apr. 2019
Sébastien Blomme won the highly competitive Plants category with his photograph of a delicate Snake’s-head fritillary framed by the distant shape of a tree.
—Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 5 Feb. 2023
Regal fritillary butterflies, which subsist on violets and stick to prairie habitats, are disappearing.
—From Usa Today Network and Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 20 Apr. 2022
Gulf fritillary butterflies are orange like monarchs and queens.
—Calvin Finch, San Antonio Express-News, 4 June 2021
The fritillary is similar and as striking as the monarch, which will arrive by the thousands to Crow-Hassan at the end of August to feed on the spiky blazing stars — also intentionally planted for them.
—Bob Timmons, Star Tribune, 31 July 2020
Specifically, BBC News mentions that the openings created by bison could allow plants such as cow wheat to grow, adding that a rare butterfly called the heath fritillary depends on the plant.
—Alex Fox, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 July 2020
Andrew Fusek Peters spent two hours in the Shropshire hills to capture the images, one of which shows the exact moment a fritillary leaves a thistle at the Brook Vessons nature reserve.
—Fox News, 30 June 2020
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Cite this Entry
“Fritillary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fritillary. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
fritillary
noun
frit·il·lary
ˈfrit-ᵊl-ˌer-ē
plural fritillaries
: any of numerous butterflies that are usually orange with black spots on the upper side of both wings and silver spotted on the underside of the hind wings
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