Variegated Fritillary is a common butterfly of open fields.

Durham Co., NC 8/15/10.

Durham Co., NC 8/10/08.

Brunswick Co., NC 8/27/05.

Alleghany Co., NC 9/3/06.

Orange Co., NC 8/3/03.

Durham Co., NC 8/17/03.

They almost never sit still. If you see a still one, look for the crab spider giving the butterfly a kiss of death.

Scotland Co., NC 10/3/2001.

The colorful and spiky Variegated Fritillary caterpillars feed on passionflower (Passiflora spp.) vines. The spikes discourage birds from eating them.