Gulf Fritillary
Dione vanillae
The Gulf Fritillary is a bright orange butterfly of sunny fields, gardens, roadsides, and forest edges, especially where passionflower vines grow. Adults feed mainly on flower nectar and fly with a fast, fluttering pattern between low vegetation and open patches. Its caterpillars specialize on passionflower leaves and store bitter defensive chemicals that help make the adult unpalatable to many predators. A notable field mark is the underside of the wings, which is marked with large silvery-white spots.
- Type
- Wing
- Conservation status
- NE
Growth chain
- ?
- ?
- Gulf Fritillary