Baltimore Butterfly (Euphydryas phaeton)

This lovely, small (1 1/2-2 1/2 inch) butterfly has black, orange bordered wings speckled with white and orange spots. Baltimores are found over much of the eastern United States, in varied habitats. In the Great Lakes they favor sphagnum bogs and wet meadows. Caterpillars feed in silk "nests" on turtlehead, false foxglove, plaintain, and ash. They overwinter as half grown larvae, continuing growth in spring. Adult butterflies emerge from the chrysalis after 10 days.