Great Spangled Fritillary

I was very excited the other day when I saw an orange butterfly in flying around the milkweed. I was disappointed that it wasn't a monarch, but was still impressed by its color and design. After looking in my identification guide book, I found that it is a Great Spangled Fritillary and learned that, not surprisingly, the adults favor milkweed plants.

A Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele) Feeding on Milkweed

This butterfly is a member of the family Nymphalidae, think Greek nymphs living in the woods. The family is also known as "brush-footed" butterflies since their two front legs are stunted and covered with brush-like hairs. I would need a better camera to capture this feature.

These butterflies will be around throughout the summer, seeking mates and laying eggs in late August to early September. The eggs will be laid on or near violets, which are the larvae's food source.

Mating pair of fritillaries on Common Ninebark

Once the larvae have hatched, it will eat part of its shell and will then immediately seek shelter under dead leaves for the winter. Sometime in May, when violets are out, it will emerge and begin feeding. In early June it will pupate under  tree bark, a rock, or log. The male butterfly will emerge first toward the end of the month, followed by the female in early July. Knowing the entire life cycle of a butterfly identifies the importance of providing habit for all stages of its life. Although planting the right plants to feed the butterfly stage is important, it is also necessary to leave certain areas of yards undisturbed by not mowing, raking leaves, or picking up brush. 

Resources; Butterflies and Moths, a Golden Guide, Robert Mitchell amd Herbert Zim, 1987;
North American Butterfly Association; New Hampshire Wildlife Journal Junior; http://www.sierrapotomac.org/W_Needham/GreatSpangledFritillaryButterfly_060807.htm