Argynnis hydaspe viridicornis

Greenhorn Mountains Hydaspe Fritillary

This distinctive fritillary is best known from the type locality, the Greenhorn Mountains, but it is now understood to range into northern California. It flies in June and July, and there really is no mistaking it for anything else. I've seen it as Shirley Meadows and Lloyd Meadow; it seems to have an particular attraction to mint flowers.

Argynnis hydaspe viridicornis - 'Greenhorn Mountains' Hydaspe Fritillary
A nice, fresh Argynnis hydaspe viridicornis taking nectar on roadside mint posed for plenty of photos for me on July 9, 2017; the two below are this same butterfly.
Argynnis hydaspe viridicornis - 'Greenhorn Mountains' Hydaspe Fritillary
Same; this was along Hwy. 155 in Alta Sierra, not far from the turn to Shirley Meadows, a classic location for these.
Argynnis hydaspe viridicornis - 'Greenhorn Mountains' Hydaspe Fritillary
The underside of Argynnis hydaspe viridicornis is distinctive. Then again, both sides have a rich, dark aspect that sets them apart.
Argynnis hydaspe viridicornis - 'Greenhorn Mountains' Hydaspe Fritillary
I believe this was my first shot of Argynnis hydaspe viridicornis, from its classic location at Shirley Meadows in the Greenhorns from July 20, 2012.
Argynnis hydaspe viridicornis - 'Greenhorn Mountains' Hydaspe Fritillary
From further north at Lloyd Meadow later on the same day as the one just above: a fresher Hydaspe fritillary.
Original description of Argynnis hydaspe viridicornis - 'Greenhorn Mountains' Hydaspe Fritillary
John A. Comstock named this butterfly in 1925, in the Bulletin of the Southern California Academy of Sciences.

©Dennis Walker