Observation date: October 11, 2019
Submitted by: JazzyJudy
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: Frequenting zinnias in my garden for several weeks from early morning until early evening. Preferred zinnias over other flowering plants such as iron weed, roses, daisies, dandelions and spiderwort. Weather conditions at the time were 60 degrees F , mostly cloudy, humidity 75%, winds NNE at 6.214 mph, barometric pressure 29.88 “Hg. Lots of wild buttercup and violets, white clover, and purple dead-nettle in yard (weedy, fair grass) but did not see butterfly interest in this. Neighbor directly across street has monthly commercial insecticide lawn applications. My conservative estimate of the decline in numbers and varieties of butterflies, moths and skippers in the rural and urban areas of Anderson County, TN over the past 4 years is 80%. I base this upon my daily search for these insects with good area coverage - frequent forays in large dry and wet wooded areas, meadows, and the cities, and asking friends and acquaintances about their observations.
Status: Temporary Colonist
Verified by: James Steen
Verified date: April 15, 2023
Coordinator notes: Here in Kansas I have two perennial Passiflora species that supply plenty of food plant for this species of Fritillary. Try to find varieties in your area that would survive through winter, this Fritillary loves to stay within very close approximate vicinity of their food plants and have several broods through the summer. In that way you could confine this particular species to your property for the most part and watch all the reproductive stages, they are a very beautiful species. Come on come on come on come on come onThank you! JAMES STEEN
