Gulf Fritillary

Habitat:

Found above and in the Gulf of Mexico

Notes:

I was paddling my kayak close to the shore on the Gulf of Mexico. There was a strong offshore wind and many butterflies were being blown out above the water. About ten feet above the water I saw a dragonfly and this butterfly struggling. They were spiraling upward then the butterfly escaped and fell to the water. As you can see a large bite was taken out of the right hindwing. I don't know the species and couldn't get a pic but there were many large dragonflies patrolling above the water. I witnessed many dragonflies trying to capture butterflies. Sometimes two were going after the same butterfly. It appeared these dragonflies were targeting butterflies. The butterflies were very successful at avoiding capture. The one in the photos was the only one that a dragonfly actually got hold of. It seems to me that the thin wings of butterflies and moths allow them to often escape predation. Individuals with chunks missing from their wings are a common sight.