Great Spangled Fritillary

Description:

Large fritillary (Wingspan 6-10 cm). It is characterized by its orange color above with five black dashes near fore wing base and several iregualer black dashes at the base of the hind wing. In addition, two rows of black crescents run along the edges of the wings. Below, the fore wing is yellowish-orange with black marks similar to the upperside, with a few silver spots on the tip of the wing. The hind wing is reddish-brown with silver spots on the base and middle of the wing.

Habitat:

This one was observed at a large botanical garden in an open area with many flowering plants. Prime habitat for this species includes moist meadows and deciduous woods in the east. In the west, it prefers moist pine and oak woods and is common around woodland edges.

Notes:

Wild specimen photographed at the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden near Gastonia, NC. I believe that the flower is some type of milkweed or butterfly weed. This is the first time that I had photographed this species.