Great Spangled Fritillary Butterfly
The Great Spangled Fritillary.
This butterfly Is found throughout the United States, except for the extreme South.
It can also found in extreme southern Canada.
Unlike many other species, there is only one generation each year of the Great Spangled.
This species is on the wing from late spring or early summer into fall.
Description: 
The Great Spangled is among the larger fritillaries.
It is mostly orange above, with small black patches and lines.
It is also mostly orange below with the silver spots common to fritillaries.
From wing tip to wing tip, this butterfly measures 2 and 1/8 to 3 and 3/4 inches.
Habitat:
The Great Spangled is mostly found in moist areas, such as meadows, woods, stream sides and well watered gardens and open fields. Habits:
A fast flying butterfly, the Great Spangled is a visitor of milkweed and thistle flowers.
Males patrol in search of females.
Larvae and Hosts:
Larvae of this butterfly feed on various species of violet (Viola).
They are black, with numerous black spines running down the body.
Nectar Plants:
Favorite nectar plants for this Fritillary butterfly are, Gloriosa daisy (Rudbeckia hirta), thistle (Cirsium), verbena (Verbena), Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) and a host of others.
Always offer water for your butterflies in your gardens.
Several species of butterflies will enjoy a dring on the edge of a birdbath or mud-puddle
Great Spangled Fritillary and other Common Butterflies
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