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great spangled fritillary
Speyeria cybele
Identification: Wingspan 2 1/2 - 4 inches. They have a relatively-wide pale tan submarginal band which stretches completely between parallel rows of large silver spots on it’s hind wings. The fact that this bank touches both sets of spots distinguishes them from Aphrodite Fritillary. Largest of the Fritillary bunch. Tan to orange with black spots on forewings. Females are darker than males.
Habitat: Open spaces- wood clearings, gardens, wet or dry grasslands.
Garden Habit: Males patrol open areas for females. Eggs are laid in late summer on or near host violets. Newly-hatched caterpillars do not feed, but overwinter until spring, when they eat young violet leaves.
Host Plants: Violets
Identification: Wingspan 2 1/2 - 4 inches. They have a relatively-wide pale tan submarginal band which stretches completely between parallel rows of large silver spots on it’s hind wings. The fact that this bank touches both sets of spots distinguishes them from Aphrodite Fritillary. Largest of the Fritillary bunch. Tan to orange with black spots on forewings. Females are darker than males.
Habitat: Open spaces- wood clearings, gardens, wet or dry grasslands.
Garden Habit: Males patrol open areas for females. Eggs are laid in late summer on or near host violets. Newly-hatched caterpillars do not feed, but overwinter until spring, when they eat young violet leaves.
Host Plants: Violets