Gulf Fritillary Butterfly

Description:

Identification: Upperside bright orange with black markings; 3 black-encircled white dots on forewing leading edge. Underside brown; forewing with orange at base; both wings with elongated, iridescent silver spots. Wing Span: 2 1/2 - 3 3/4 inches (6.3 - 9.5 cm). Life History: Males patrol for females, who lay eggs on many parts of the host plant. Caterpillars feed on most parts of the host. Adults overwinter in the south.

Habitat:

Flight: Throughout the year in south Florida and South Texas, January-November in the north. Number of broods has not been determined.

Notes:

Caterpillar Hosts: Various species of passion-vine including maypops (Passiflora incarnata) and running pop (P. foetida). Adult Food: Nectar from lantana, shepherd\'s needle, cordias, composites, and others. Habitat: Pastures, open fields, second-growth subtropical forest and edges, city gardens. Range: South America north through Central America, Mexico, and the West Indies to the southern United States. Wanders north to the central United States; rare northward. Conservation: Not usually of concern. NCGR: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery. Management Needs: Cultivate host plants. - http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/speci...