Everything is Linked
Learning relationships by raising and studying butterflies

   In September or October, on a sunny warm day, go back to your Maypop plants that you discovered during the bloom time.   Or simply go looking along back roads and lanes, until you spot some Gulf Fritillaries, a butterfly. They may be visiting flowers such as lantana, goldenrod, asters, wild morning glories, vervain, and other late-season flowers. See if you can spot these flowers, or find other flowers that they visit.

Image Copyright 2002, David L. Green     Unauthorized use prohibited

   They are quite easy to spot, because the tops of their wings are a brilliant orange-red, with black marks like the one above visiting lantana in the yard. To make sure you have the right butterfly, look until you see the underside of the wings:

Image Copyright 2002, David L. Green     Unauthorized use prohibited

   You can see that the pattern is much different on the underside. It makes me think of a beautiful stained-glass window.

   If you find Gulf Fritillaries, you can be sure that Maypops are not too far away. These adults had to eat the Maypop plant to grow to adults, and they will frequently return to lay eggs. Watch them for awhile, and see if you can find them visiting a plant that doesn't have flowers. Go to that plant, and watch to see if they are laying eggs.

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