FOOD: Nectar from plants including
violets, goldenrod,
milkweed, ironweed,
red clover, butterfly
bush; also animal droppings
PREDATORS: Birds
HABITAT: Fields, wood edges, clearings, gardens
Photo: Paul Rezendes
DESCRIPTION
The fritillaries are one of the largest groups of
butterflies. They are found in many parts of the world.
Although, like other insects, the fritillary has
six legs, its front legs are smaller than the others. It only uses its four large legs for
walking.
Fritillaries have darker backgrounds with lighter
colored spots. The caterpillars are spiny.
The eye-catching Diana Fritillary is found in the
southern Appalachians. The males have black wings edged with orange, while the
females’ wings are edged by blue.
Most of North America
