See Subject...

Will be doing a counting study of them this Summer at Dunn Ranch (Nature Conservancy) in North Missouri in conjunction with MO Department of Conservation & Loess Hills Chapter of MO Master Naturalist.

Good morning David,

I have a large section of wild passion fruit vine growing on my property. The painted lady or fritillary caterpillars love it. They stay within the vine, eat until they are plump then make their chrysalis and hatch a few weeks later. Is this the same butterfly you are looking for? Are they related? What plants are they attracted to?

Angela, I think the Regal Fritillary only eats violets and isn't found in your state. You're probably seeing the Gulf Fritillary or perhaps the Variegated Fritillary if it's passion vine they're on.

Gulf Frit: http://www.butterfliesandmoths...

Variegated Frit: http://www.butterfliesandmoths...

Regal Frit: http://www.butterfliesandmoths...

Angela.

I agree with Melanie.

So far, no one here has seen one or maybe they have not seen this thread.

And yes, violets serve as the host plant. Here in Missouri, it is not your average yard violet but one specific to prairies.

The Dunn Ranch I mentioned above apparently has one of the largest populations in the Midwest.

I will be working with Steve Buback of our MDC. Among several hats he wears, he serves as the state's Heritage Entomologist and works on all things threatened and endangered.

Interesting that in the Range shown on http://www.butterfliesandmoths..., they do not list Missouri.

David, click on "Sightings Table" instead of "Sightings Map" and you'll see the exact county locations being reported. I see three counties in Missouri listed: Pettis, St. Clair, and Barton.

Hmmmm Dunn ranch (~ 5,000 acres - nearly 1,000 never plowed) is near Hatfield MO in Harrison county. Very much a prairie. One of if not the largest prairies in Missouri. When you see it, you say WOW - Prairie. Especially when the 120 Bison are roaming.

Barton has some prairie
St. Clair is in the Ozark mountains ... wth?
Pettis is not what I would call prairie. Rolling farmland - heavily farmed