Kathy Hornberger, our Master Gardener President and a devoted fan of butterflies, was fluttering with excitement at our last meeting because a Great Spangled Fritillary made an appearance in her garden. Read on to hear her rave…
Anyone who’s been to the last several MG meetings has heard me enthusiastically exclaim: “There was a Great Spangled Fritillary in my garden today!” For those of you familiar with this creature, forgive my childish glee. If you’ve never heard of such a thing, let me explain.
The Great Spangled Fritillary is a very attractive, rusty orange-colored and black-patterned butterfly with a 2-1/2 to 4 inch wingspan (less orange in color and slightly smaller than a Monarch). The black pattern consists of both lines and numerous spots. On the underside of the hind wings, the spots are metallic silver. It’s the largest fritillary in the eastern US and can be found along roadsides or in fields or open woodlands from June through September feasting on the nectar of bee balm, black-eyed susan, butterfly-weed, milkweed, joe-pye-weed, purple coneflower, and knapweed, just to name a few species. I grow all of these plants in my yard except for the last (it is non-native).
Caterpillars (larvae) will emerge in late summer on or near leaves of violets. The larvae are black in color with orange-based spines arising from the surface, presumably as a protective device against predatory birds. The larvae will not feed until after winter is over and young violet leaves emerge. So, for all those fastidious gardeners out there, please don’t remove any clumps of ragged-looking violet leaves because they may be harboring the eggs and larvae of this butterfly species.
My garden has become a habitat for this showy, swiftly flying invertebrate. And, I currently have at least TWO DOZEN Black Swallowtail caterpillars munching away on dill and bronze fennel and at least that many Monarch larvae on the milkweeds!
Please consider including host plants in your yard to help sustain populations of these beautiful creatures from the Order Lepidoptera.
Do you have a gardening question? In Delaware County, call our Master Gardeners hortline at 610-690-2671 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 AM-12 NOON.
UPCOMING MASTER GARDENERS EVENTS
October 11, 2008
Fall/Winter Containers
Watch a demonstration to spruce up your summer containers or make one that looks good all through the year. Learn what plants to use, how to arrange them and and how to care for them. Cost: $10
November 8, 2008
Nature Ornaments
Use natural materials to make ornaments for your holiday decorations. This is a hands-on workshop. Bring scissors or pruner and a box to carry home your creations. Cost: $15
The Garden Series at Haverford Township Adult School
A collection of one night classes for both the indoor and outdoor garden. Classes taught by Delaware County Master Gardeners. Take one, two or all five– and save.
For more information, go to Haverford Adult School or call 610-446-8022.
Registration required for all events. Please call 610-690-2655 for more information or visit our website for a registration form.
