I found these cuties in my Willamette Valley checkerblooms and checkermallows … the ID apps are giving me three different answers (common buckeye, mourning cloak, painted lady) and I can’t determine which one might be right, or if they’re all wrong, or even if they’re the same species just with color variations. Anyone have insights?
Willamette Valley Oregon here. Late last summer, I transformed my front lawn into a native Savannah/prairie habitat. It’s been doing well until about three weeks ago, when I noticed multiple lupines dying. I found them crawling with and surrounded by ants, and they had cut down multiple leaves, and appeared to be stripping the stems. I’ve read about aphid harvesting, but I’m out there every day and I’ve seen zero aphids on these plants. Any ideas what’s happening, and how I might stop the ants? I don’t want all the native lupines to die. Thank you in advance.