Speyeria callippe can reach a wingspan of 5–6.4 cm (2.0–2.5 in). In these large and widespread butterflies the color of the upperside of the wings varies from tawny to bright red-brown with black evenly-spaced zigzag stripes. The entire outer contour is black-brown, divided by a row of pale lunules. The underside of the forewings is red fawn, with the same design as above, and a series of marginal silver lunules. The underside of the hindwings is brown, with about twenty-two large silvered spots and triangular silver submarginal spots with narrow brown edges.[1][3] In the last stage the larvae are greyish, with black and grey patches and black-orange spines.
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