Gulf Fritillary
Agraulis vanillae on a lantana
Agraulis vanillae (English: "Gulf Fritillary " ) is ( Nymphalidae ) is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae.
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Features
The moths reach a wingspan of 63-95 millimeters, the females are slightly larger. The tops of their wings are colored bright orange and carry a delicate black patterning. Near the front edge of the front wing are three white, black ringed spots. Several more, partly elongated black spots are located near the outer edge and in the center of the front wings. The outer edge of the hind wings is broadly edged with black. The inner edge of this strip varies strongly curled. Within the hem are more or less round, orange spots. The undersides of the wings have a brown color. The front wings are colored orange basally, there is one in each color running, beige tie between this and the brown area. On the bottom of both pairs of wings there are extensive bright silvery, mostly elongated spots. On the fore wings are these to the wing tip, on the hind wings are spread throughout. The body of the animal is on the upper side brown, hand dyed white.
The caterpillars reach a length of about 40 millimeters, and have an orange color. Along the body run more darker longitudinal lines. On each segment are arranged in a ring, long, black colored and weakly branched thorns.
The pupa is mottled with brown and mimics a faded leaf after ( mimesis ).
Occurrence
The species is distributed from south through Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean to the south of the United States. As a migrant butterfly she is also further north known, but the incidence increases to the north increasingly, so that it no longer occurs in the northern United States. One finds the animals in pastures and open areas in subtropical secondary forests, but also in parks and gardens.
Way of life
The adults suck nectar, for example on lantana, Venus comb, Kordien or composite flowers. The moths have a quick but uneven flight and are strongly attracted to flowers. The females lay their yellow eggs singly on in different parts of the caterpillar food plants. Hibernation takes place as Imago.
Flight times and caterpillars
Up in the south of Texas and Florida Agraulis vanillae flies in several generations throughout the year, further north flies the way from January to November.
Food of the caterpillars
The caterpillars feed on passion vines ( Passiflora ), such as from the flesh -colored passion flower (Passiflora incarnata ) and Passiflora foetida.