This is a caterpillar of the Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia), chomping away on a Violet (Viola) leaf, one of many host plants of this species. A few other examples of their host plants are Passion Vines, Pansies, Purslane, Flax, and Mayapple.
As an adult, the Variegated Fritillary can live over 10 months. That’s a mighty long life for a butterfly!
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Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) attracts many pollinators. This one, a Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia).
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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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