Gulf Fritillary

Gulf fritillary, Agraulis vanillae

Although mentioned before, the Gulf fritillary is not a true fritillary butterfly, and is not closely related to fritillaries. Whereas most fritillaries belong to either the Speyeria genus or Bolloria genus, the Gulf fritillary is the only member of the Agraulis genus. The are common in the southern portions of North America.

Gulf fritillary drinking nectar.

Gulf fritillary butterflies are often found in open habitats such as fields, parks, and open woodlands, and begin to migrate southward during late summer and throughout fall. There are multiple generations each year, and in warmer habitats, the adults will overwinter. Passionflower vines are a host plant to the caterpillars while the adults feed on the nectar of a number of other plants including lantana and cordias.