I had torn rotator cuff repair surgery a week ago, and typing is a little challenging since one arm is in a sling. So, I thought I’d focus today’s blog on photos.  Thankfully, I had visits from two rare and unusual fritillaries that I can share.

Diana Fritillaries

I wrote a blog earlier this year about native violets that turned out to be a little prescient. A male Diana Fritillary showed up a month or two later later. Diana Fritillaries are eastern forest butterflies that use violets as host plants. Typically, they don’t fly this far west. In fact, I photographed my county’s first recorded sighting some years ago but I hadn’t seen one since. Many Dianas were being reported in eastern Oklahoma this year, so I was hopeful. I was thrilled when the first appeared, nectaring on my monarda.

Male Diana Fritillaries

I was even more excited when a female arrived a week or so later. Diana butterflies are dramatically sexually dimorphic, so it’s easy to tell them apart.

Female Diana

I didn’t see any mating behavior, but I hope a female will lay her eggs in my woods near a patch of violets where they will overwinter and emerge next spring. Dianas are one reason why you want native violets. They’re also a reason not to rake up twigs, branches, and leaves in fall.

Great Spangled Fritillaries

I have seen Great Spangled Fritillaries in the yard before, but never more than one at a time. I had several flying around at the same time the Dianas were here, and that was spectacular. Both of these species are huge.  Great Spangled Fritillaries are also unusual this far west in Oklahoma, and they use violets as host plants, as well. Their habitat includes forests and woodlands in addition to more open areas such as fields and meadows.

Great Spangled Fritillary

I’m certainly jealous of those of you who are visited regularly by these spectacular beauties. And remember to plant native violets for them!