Tag: Great Spangled Fritillary

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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To Each His Own

Butterflies on the road going up the mountain. The one on the left a Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis), the one on the right a Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele).

Both these butterflies love to hang out at mud puddles, rotting fruit, and in this case, on scat. All are a source of nutrients for the winged creatures. To each his own!

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A Couple Fritillaries

A Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia) enjoying the nectar of a Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea).

And another Fritillary, a Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele) on another Purple Coneflower.

The common name, Fritillary, comes from the Latin, fritillus: chessboard or dice box.

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This Afternoon

This afternoon a Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele) caught my attention as it alighted on a Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurpea). Looking well-worn, as if it had spent its few weeks taking great chances, perhaps escaping a predator or two.

I appreciate Great Spangled Fritillaries in part because their host plants are various species of native Violets. Violets, special plants, and with no Violets, there would be no Fritillaries.

The time that this Fritillary is able to fly as a butterfly is 2 to 10 weeks. Their native range is nearly the entirety of Canada and the United States north of Georgia.

A lovely splash of orange up here in the woods.

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