Watering newly planted things in the garden got me out on this mighty hot first afternoon of summer, when I noticed a couple Great Spangled Fritillaries (Speyeria cybele) enjoying the sweet nectar of Purple Coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea).

As adults Great Spangled Fritillaries enjoy a life much longer than many butterflies. Some butterflies live for a month, at most, others have a life span of just one week. These fortunate butterflies are around, fluttering among the flowers, from mid-June till mid-September.

The host plants of Great Spangled Fritillaries are native violet species. These are the only things their caterpillars will eat. Many gardeners look upon violets as weeds in their gardens. I want these butterflies, so I don’t discourage violets.

Great Spangled Fritillaries make great models for my camera.

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