We are fostering this family of Great Spangled Fritillaries courtesy of Chris and Deb Barnhart. They are gorging on violets which Barb protected in our rain garden. Barb has also planted 90 species of native plants in our suburban yard. The violets below have now have spread out into the lawn, bringing color as well as food for these cats. You can watch them feast at this Youtube link.
They will soon be graduating to chrysalis stage and then emerge for a debut at the Roston Butterfly House at Close Memorial Park in Springfield Missouri.
More about these fritillaries is at this MDC Link.
This is just one more benefit of planting native species around your home. Barb's 90+ species of native plants on our 1/4 acre lot in Springfield are in the middle of a neighborhood with closely manicured lawns and typical shrubs and plantings. Somehow a variety of species have arrived including skinks, voles, lizards, and chipmunks as well as lots of pollinator species of butterflies and many species of birds. Besides the benefit to wildlife it also bring us pleasure watching them.
