This butterfly appears to have a clipped wing. The break at the base of the left hindwing looks too straight to have happened naturally. It cuts at least four veins cleanly, right in a line.

Does anyone know of a local study involving butterflies, possibly the Diana fritillary? My guess is this butterfly was captured, clipped and released. It may have been to get a genetic sample, but if my observation could be of use to someone studying fritillaries, I would be happy to share the photo and information.

I know it is a fritillary, but I do not know how to reliably identify them to species or how many occur in the Little River watershed. This one perches with wings down so it is hard to see the underwing. Its flight is rapid and energetic, so the wings are a blur, but it did not seem to have as much silver on the underwing as the late summer fritillary.

I saw at least a dozen over 20 or 30 minutes this morning, often several at a time with pairs doing a rising, twisting dance. Later in the day a blue/black butterfly of similar size and flight habit zipped by me. Does anyone know fritillaries well enough to ID this one?