Gulf Fritillary

Gulf Fritillary, Agrulis vanillae incarnata

Contrary to its common name, the Gulf Fritillary is not a true fritillary butterfly and not closely related to them. Whether separated with the long-butterflies, Heliconiidae, or included with the brushfooted butterflies, Nymphalidae, the gulf fritillary is the only one of the Agraulis genus. These butterflies can be found throughout the southern United States down to South America. One of their main host plants are passionflowers which provides food for the larvae and nectar for the adults.