Friday, August 01, 2008

Fritillary

Great Spangled Fritillary, Speryeria cybele
This little lady has been visiting and spending her time dining on the purple cone flowers we have in our pool area. She is one of the many visitors enjoying the summer bounty. The Yellow Gold Finch's have returned also.

The Great Spangled is the largest of all Fritillaries in North America, with its wingspan nearing 4”. This butterfly is found throughout the northern United States and into Canada. The wings are a common blend of oranges, sienna, and burnt umbers, and its forewings are marked with black spots.

Host plants: Violets, Thistle, Milkweed, Asters, Cosmos, Lantana, Pentas, Daisy, Red Clover and Zinnia to name a few.

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