Diana Fritillary Butterfly
(Adopted 2007)

The Diana is a large, magnificent butterfly. The orange males have black outer margins and the females are iridescent blue or blue-green above and black below. The Diana once had a wider range, but now it is found only in or near rich bottomland woodlands in the Appalachians and sparingly in the Ozarks. Look for Dianas in July and August. Adults nectar at milkweeds. Females wait until midafternoon to arrive at patches of nectar plants. Caterpillars eat the leaves of violets.