Orange On Orange

I captured this Orange On Orange this afternoon. A Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele) thoroughly enjoying the nectar of Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa). This creature was dining on the nectar for at least 45 minutes. Quite satisfied with its discovery.

Female Great Spangled Fritillaries lay their eggs near violets in August or September. The newly hatched caterpillars burrow down into the soil where they will sleep during the winter. As spring arrives the caterpillars emerge and eat the nearby, newly developing violet leaves. These violet leaves are the only leaves that the Great Spangled Fritillary caterpillars can eat. Its sole host plant.

As adults Great Spangled Fritillaries dine on the nectar of many species of flowers such as Milkweed, Purple Coneflower, and Red Clover. Many species of butterflies live just two to four weeks, but Great Spangled Fritillary butterflies often will live from mid-spring until early autumn.

Wonderful to have them around so long enjoying the flowers in the woods.

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Published by

Brenda Clements Jones

Brenda is a certified Virginia Master Naturalist, a Habitat Defender for Shenandoah National Park, and a devoted fan of Mother Nature. She lives in a cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Shenandoah National Park, and hikes up to the higher elevations of her mountain often to see what nature is up to. Her constant hiking companion is a camera that captures nature as it unfolds through the seasons. It’s her goal to share the natural world around her through her photographs.

2 thoughts on “Orange On Orange”

    1. Hi Barry,

      It brings me great pleasure to be able to whip up my blog posts each evening. And I’m so pleased to hear from you!

      Thank you so very much for reading my ramblings!
      Bren

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