Washington Wildlife A-Z: Z-Zerene Fritillary Traditional Cache

Zerene Fritillary is a species of butterfly found in the western United States and Canada.  There are many subspecies.  Two of them are classified as endangered in California, Myrtle's Silverspot Butterfly and Behren's Silverspot Butterfly.  The Oregon Silverspot Butterfly is classified as threatened in Washington, Oregon and California.

Zerene Fritillary are medium sized butterflies with black bodies with orange-brown on the upper side of their wings.  The underside of their wings have silver metallic spots.  Both their body and wings are covered with fine hairs. 

One of the most important part of their environment is the blue violet which is also threatened by invasive species of plants.  They feed off of the blue violet and also lay their eggs on them.

They are found on shorelines, salt marshes, forests, woodlands, scrub, shrub and brushlands.

At the time I placed this cache the main area was closed to vehicles due to the current fire hazard.  You can park at the gate and walk to the cache.  There are already some trails here.

***Congratulations to kwitt82 for First To Find!***