Meet our fluttering native friends that will soon inhabit the Habitat. Each species of butterfly will introduce itself and share some of its special characteristics. If you want to learn more about a species, just click on its name!
![thumbnail_IMG_5596](https://www.lostrivercave.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/thumbnail_IMG_5596-300x225.jpg)
“Hi! I am a monarch butterfly! I am one of the most recognizable and well-studied butterflies on earth! I have orange wings laced with black lines and bordered with white dots, cute right?”
![thumbnail_IMG_5601](https://www.lostrivercave.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/thumbnail_IMG_5601-300x225.jpg)
“Why hello! I am a painted lady. I am known for my speed and I can reach up to nearly 30 miles per hour!”
![thumbnail_IMG_5586](https://www.lostrivercave.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/thumbnail_IMG_5586-300x225.jpg)
Gulf Fritillary Agraulis vanillae
“Hi, I am a gulf fritillary! Try saying that 5 times fast! I lay small yellow eggs singly on or near leaves, stems, or tendrils of purple passionflowers!”
![thumbnail_IMG_6253](https://www.lostrivercave.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/thumbnail_IMG_6253-300x225.jpg)
“Hi! I am a common buckeye. Eyes on the back of your head? I have “eyes” on the back of my wings that are outlined in orange! My favorite host plants are snapdragon, monkey flowers, plantains, and reullia!”
![Giant-Swallowtail (1)](https://www.lostrivercave.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Giant-Swallowtail-1-300x225.jpg)
Giant Swallowtail Papilio cresphontes
“Howdy! I am the giant swallowtail! I am the largest butterfly in North America with a wingspan of up to 7 inches! My favorite host plants are citrus!”
![36890127662-red-admiral-vanessa-atalanta (1)](https://www.lostrivercave.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/36890127662-red-admiral-vanessa-atalanta-1-300x225.jpg)
“Hey! I am a red admiral! You know when you humans reach down to pull a weed and realize its too late and that it was a stinging nettle? Those are my absolute favorite host plants!”
Learn more about the Charlie Miller Butterfly Habitat open Memorial Day through Labor Day here.
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