Gulf Fritillary

  • Family name: Nymphalidae/Brush-Footed Butterflies
  • General description: orange with black markings (female duller orange); hindwing with black chainlike band along outer margin; forewing elongate with three black-rimmed white spots along leading margin. Ventral hindwing brown with numerous elongate silver spots.
  • Field Marks: orange with black markings; forewing elongate with three black-rimmed white spots along leading margin; ventral hindwing with elongate silver spots.

Gulf Fritillary larva

  • Sexes: appear similar
  • Wingspan: 50-74 mm
  • Life Cycle: Egg: yellow, elongate, laid singly on host leaves an tendrils Mature larva: orange with darker stripes and numerous black branched spines Chrysalis: light brown with darker brown blotches
  • Number of Generations: multiple

Gulf Fritillary male

  • Flight Season: All
  • Abundance: Common
  • Habitat: old fields, disturbed sites, roadsides, gardens, parks, pastures
  • Larval Host Plants: maypop (Passiflora incarnata), yellow passion flower (Passiflora lutea), corky-stemmed passion flower (Passiflora suberosa)
  • Similar Species: MonarchJulia
  • Additional Information: Migratory; very common garden butterfly. Range is limited in Colorado and Nevada.
  • Range in Florida

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