Great Spangled Fritillary
The Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele) is one member of over 6000 species divided into twelve families of Fritillary butterflies. The Great Fritillary is common over most of North America and can be found in a variety of habitats including fields, valleys, pastures, meadows, open woodland, prairies and even city gardens.
Males patrol open areas looking for females. After mating the females lay up to 2000 eggs on or near Violets and violet species, in late summer. When the caterpillars hatch they do not eat. Instead they over winter and feed heavily on young violet leaves, including Johnny Jump Ups, in the spring. Many do not survive the winter. That's the reason for the females laying so many eggs.
Adult butterflies feed on nectar from many plants including milkweeds, thistles, ironweed, dogbane, mountain laurel, verbena, vetch, bergamot, red clover, joe-pye weed, purple coneflower, and Zinnia's. They are a fairly large butterfly with a wing span from 2 1/2 - 4 inches. The female is tawny and darker than males.
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