Pupae in Graveyard
Location: Lancaster, PA
September 20, 2010 6:33 pm
We found a couple of these gorgeous pupae attached to grave stones. The photos were taken in mid September. I was hoping you could help with identification.
Signature: Jen
Dear Jen,
Your pupa is the chrysalis of a Variegated Fritillary. Because the caterpillars feed on a large variety of plants, they are a wide ranging species in open fields and along roadsides. According to BugGuide: “Larvae feed on Passionvine (Passiflora), Violets & Pansy (Viola, Flax Linum, Moonseed (Menispermum), Mayapple (Podophyllum), Stonecrop (Sedum), Purslane (Portulaca) and others. Adults are fond of flowers, and especially seem to like Thistles and yellow Composites. They also frequently visit damp ground.“