Gulf Fritillary Butterfly

Description:

During the spring and summer months, I go into my backyard, to check on my butterfly garden, for butterfly pupae, and caterpillars. Many times during the spring and summer months, I saw butterfly pupae, that were attached to one of its host plants, and I also saw caterpillars, feeding on one of there host plants. On this occasion, I saw one, Gulf Fritillary pupa, that was attached to one of its host plants. I took this one pupa, and brought it inside my house with me, and I then took this one pupa, and put it inside one of my terrariums. I will now wait, until this one pupa ecloses. After this pupa ecloses, I will then take some photos of this new butterfly. After taking some photos, I will then take this new butterfly outside, and set it free. The Gulf Fritillary or passion butterfly, is a bright orange butterfly, of the family Nymphalidae. It is the only member of the Genus Agraulis. The Gulf Fritillary, is a medium to large butterfly, with elongated wings. The larva is poisonous, if eaten. The larva feeds exclusively on species of passionflowers. The chrysalis is mottled brown, and looks like a dry leaf.

Habitat:

The Gulf Fritillary, is commonly seen in parks and gardens, as well as in open country. At home in most open, sunny habitats, it frequents disturbed sites, roadsides, open woodlands, fields, pastures, yards, and parks. It is a regular, in most butterfly gardens. In Florida, it can be found in all 67 counties. Pastures, open fields, second-growth subtropical forest and edges, city gardens.

Notes:

One Gulf Fritillary pupa, eclosed inside one of my terrariums. Its upper forewings, are bright orange. The undersides of its forewings, is multi- colour. The upperside of its hindwings, is orange. The underside of its hindwings, is brown or beige. The Gulf Fritillary, has elongated wings.