This is a caterpillar of the Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia), chomping away on a Violet (Viola) leaf, one of many host plants of this species. A few other examples of their host plants are Passion Vines, Pansies, Purslane, Flax, and Mayapple.

As an adult, the Variegated Fritillary can live over 10 months. That’s a mighty long life for a butterfly!

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