FLUTTERING FAVES

Readers capture stunning PHOTOGRAPHS of common visitors—plus a few rarities.

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ATTRACT

These fritillaries are especially drawn to violets, which are their caterpillars’ host plants.

Great spangled fritillary

My backyard is filled with native plants to attract local bugs, birds and butterflies—the reward is observing my efforts when it works. I found this great spangled fritillary fluttering around my blazing star and grabbed my Sony Alpha a6000. I like how the butterfly turned vertically to match the orientation 0f the flower spike.

Diane Spray

WAUSAU, WISCONSIN

FUN FACT

Painted ladies have an exceptionally large range. They're widespread in Europe, Asia and Africa, as well as in North America.

Painted lady

The first flower on my dwarf sunflowers had just emerged when a painted lady stopped at and delighted in this bloom. I grabbed my Canon E0S Rebel T3i that I use to photograph wildlife, mostly in my backyard, and I got this shot of two of my favorite things: sunflowers and wild butterflies.

Karen Thambyrajah

ST. PETERS, MISSOURI

HOT TIP

When searching for great purple hairstreaks, look up. Males prefer to perch high in trees.

Great purple hairstreak