Common Blue Violet

First Evening Of Spring

Along a trail, a ways up the mountain above my cabin, Common Blue Violets (Viola sororia) rise up to greet the evening. The first evening of the new season, spring 2023.

There are 87 species of violets native to North America, or perhaps even more. Scientists are unsure of that number. Of those species, there are butterflies that depend on the plant as its larval host plant. These are Fritillary caterpillars. Fritillary butterflies are divided into two groups, the Greater and the Lesser Fritillaries. The Greater Fritillary butterflies are larger in size and depend totally on violets as their larval host. The Lesser Fritillary butterflies generally are smaller and also depend on the violets as a larval host plant though not exclusively.

Violets are welcome in my gardens. All the better for Fritillary butterflies.

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Slow Down

A Woodpecker feather sitting as it fell, on a boulder. Star Chickweed, Common Blue Violet and the leaves of Wild Geranium. All native plants.

Slow down. Take in all that surrounds you. There is so much out there for you to see, if only you would look. Really look. It’s there waiting for you.

Our Native Violets, Host Plants to Fritillaries

Something important to think about. Our native violets are the most important host plant for caterpillars of many Fritillary Butterflies.

And for a good number of them these violets are their only host plant.

Fritillary Butterflies fall into one of two genuses. Either Greater or Lesser. And as you might expect the larger of the butterflies are in the Greater category, or genus Speyeria. The Greater Fritillaries are a group of fourteen species. One of those species is the Great Spangled Fritillary.

The Variegated Fritillary is one of the Lesser Fritillaries. And of course is a smaller butterfly. There are sixteen butterfly species in this genus, Bolloria. Though it certainly has a similar coloring to the Great Spangled Fritillary which can be confusing, I know.

All fourteen of the Greater Fritillaries depend entirely on violets as their host plant. Which means their caterpillars will only survive by eating leaves of violet plants.

The Lesser Fritillaries’ caterpillars do also eat violet leaves but will eat other things as well such as passionflower.

Violets are not a nectar source for butterflies but considering their role as a host plant for their caterpillars, violets are very important in the world of butterflies.

Keep this in mind as you’re out weeding in your garden. Perhaps you can let some violets into that precious space.

Keep this in mind as you’re looking over your perfect lawn. Perhaps you can let some violets in here and there.

Or perhaps there is some shady spot in your yard where violets would love to share your world and help out Fritillaries.