Variegated Fritillaries can be found in open grassland, desert areas, or mountain meadows. They generally reside from spring to fall in the southern part of the United States, at times as far north as southern Canada. The caterpillars eat more different types of plants that most other butterflies, some of the plants include violets or passion flowers. The size of adults has much variation. This butterfly can tolerate light frosts. These photos were taken in the high desert in northern Arizona.