Gulf fritillary butterflies are fascinating creatures known for their vibrant orange and black wings. Found throughout the southern United States, these colorful insects can often be spotted in gardens, meadows, and other habitats. While the male and female butterflies share similarities, they also exhibit distinct differences, including size and wing markings.
In terms of physical appearance, the female Gulf fritillary tends to be larger than the male, with a wingspan ranging from 65 to 95 mm. The female’s wings are also darker and possess more extensive black markings. On the other hand, both sexes have silvery spots on the underside of their wings, along with black rims and three small white spots on their forewings.
Identifying Gulf Fritillary Males and Females
Wings and Coloration
- Gulf fritillary butterflies are known for their bright orange wings.
- Males and females both have distinct black markings.
The upper surface of the wings in males and females shows sexual dimorphism, as females tend to have a darker and more extensive pattern. The longer forewings in both sexes set them apart from other butterfly species.
Size and Wingspan
- Adults have a wingspan range of 65 to 95 mm.
- Females are generally larger than males.
Gulf fritillary males and females can be distinguished by their size and wingspan. A larger wingspan often corresponds to a female butterfly, while a smaller wingspan indicates a male.
White Spots and Markings
- Both sexes have white spots on their wings.
- The hindwing of female gulf fritillaries has a row of white spots.
The white spots and markings on the wings of the Gulf fritillary are another way to differentiate between males and females. A row of white spots is more prominent on the female’s hindwing than on the male’s.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Males | Females |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 65 – 95 mm (smaller) | 65 – 95 mm (larger) |
| Coloration | Bright orange with black markings | Darker orange with more extensive black markings |
| White Spots | Present but less prominent on hindwing | Prominent row of white spots on hindwing |
Life Cycle and Reproduction
Eggs
Gulf Fritillary butterflies lay small, spherical, yellow eggs on their host plants, typically passion flowers. Each egg measures about 1mm in diameter, and the female adult butterfly lays one egg per leaf. The egg stage lasts approximately 5 days in South Florida.
- Small, spherical, yellow eggs
- Laid on host plants (passion flowers)
- Egg stage: approximately 5 days
Caterpillars
Upon hatching, the larvae (or caterpillars) feed on the host plant leaves for 2-3 weeks. These munching machines display brownish colors with black spikes and silvery-white spots, making them easily distinguishable.
- Brownish with black spikes and silvery-white spots
- Feed on host plant leaves for 2-3 weeks
Chrysalis
Once the caterpillar reaches its final instar, it forms a pupa or chrysalis. This phase lasts around 10 days, and the chrysalis appears reddish-brown in color, camouflaged in its surroundings.
- Reddish-brown color
- Chrysalis stage: approximately 10 days
Adult Butterflies
After the chrysalis stage, the adult butterfly emerges. The stunning Gulf Fritillary butterfly is bright orange with black markings and silvery-white spots beneath its wings. Males and females are similar in appearance, but males have slightly elongated forewings and smaller bodies.
- Bright orange with black markings and silvery-white spots
- Males: elongated forewings, smaller bodies
Mating and Oviposition
Gulf Fritillary adults typically mate within a day or two after emerging from the chrysalis. Male butterflies use pheromones and unique flight patterns to attract females. After mating, the female selects a suitable host plant for oviposition and deposits her eggs on the underside of the plant’s leaves.
- Mating occurs within a day or two of emergence
- Females attracted by male pheromones and flight patterns
- Eggs laid on host plant leaves
Habitat and Distribution
United States
The Gulf Fritillary, a brightly colored butterfly, can be found in the southern parts of the United States such as Florida and Texas. Common habitats include:
- Grasslands
- Open woodlands
- Roadsides
- Yards
- Parks
Mexico and Central America
Gulf Fritillaries are also commonly found in Mexico and Central America. They enjoy open habitats like:
- Fields
- Disturbed sites
- Parks
- Home gardens
South America
The distribution of this butterfly extends to South America, where it can be found in similar open habitats as mentioned above.
Migration and Overwintering
Gulf Fritillary butterflies are known as longwing species. They tend to undergo migrations during different times of the year. However, more specific information about their migration and overwintering patterns is currently limited.
Comparison between habitats in different regions:
| Region | Habitat Examples |
|---|---|
| Southern US | Grasslands, Open woodlands |
| Mexico & Central America | Fields, Disturbed sites |
| South America | Similar to Southern US and Mexico & Central America |
In all habitats, Gulf Fritillaries are particularly attracted to plants such as asters and lantanas, which serve as important sources of nectar for the species.
Gulf Fritillary Host Plants and Food Sources
Passion Vine and Passion Flower
The primary host plants for Gulf Fritillary caterpillars, Agraulis vanillae, are various species of passion vines, particularly the native Passiflora incarnata also known as the passion flower or maypop. These plants provide an excellent food source and habitat for the larvae as they grow and develop.
- Pros: Native, abundant, and provides all necessary nutrients for caterpillars.
- Cons: May suffer damage from caterpillar feeding, but not usually fatal to the plant.
Other Host Plants
In addition to the passion vine, Gulf Fritillary caterpillars may also feed on other species of Passiflora. However, they generally prefer native species, which offer better protection from predators and supply the necessary nutrients for the developing larvae.
Adult Butterflies Feeding Preferences
Adult Gulf Fritillary butterflies have slightly different feeding preferences than their caterpillar counterparts. They feed primarily on nectar from flowers such as lantana and thistle, which can commonly be found in butterfly gardens, parks, and other open habitats. By doing so, adult butterflies help in pollination, contributing to plant reproduction.
Comparison Table: Caterpillars vs. Adult Butterflies
| Caterpillars | Adult Butterflies | |
|---|---|---|
| Preferred Host Plants | Passion Vines | Thistle, Lantana |
| Food Sources | Passiflora Leaves | Nectar |
| Role in Ecosystem | Eat and grow | Pollination |
| Predators | Birds, Insects | Birds, Insects |
To summarize, Gulf Fritillary caterpillars rely mainly on passion vines, primarily Passiflora incarnata, for sustenance and habitat, while adult butterflies have a broader range of feeding preferences, including nectar from flowers like lantana and thistle.
Behavior and Defense Mechanisms
Poisonous Spines and Odorous Chemicals
Gulf Fritillary caterpillars have a unique defense mechanism: they are covered in black spines which deter predators. These spines are not only visually intimidating, but also poisonous to many potential threats. In addition to the spines, they release unpleasant odorous chemicals as another line of defense.
- Caterpillars:
- Black spines
- Poisonous to predators
- Odorous chemicals
Adult Gulf Fritillary butterflies, on the other hand, rely on their bright coloration and patterning as a primary defense mechanism.
Batesian Mimicry
The adult Gulf Fritillary butterflies employ a specific type of defense mechanism known as Batesian mimicry. This means they imitate the appearance of toxic or unpalatable species to avoid predation. Their orange and silver coloration, for example, resembles the toxic monarch butterfly which predators have learned to avoid.
- Batesian mimicry:
- Imitate appearance of toxic species
- Bright orange and silver coloration
Predators and Parasites
Gulf Fritillary butterflies and their caterpillars face numerous enemies in their lives. A few examples of predators and parasites that they face include:
- Birds
- Lizards
- Spiders
- Parasitic wasps
| Threat | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Birds | Eat caterpillars and adults |
| Lizards | Eat caterpillars |
| Spiders | Capture butterflies in webs |
| Parasitic wasps | Lay eggs inside caterpillars |
The behavior and defense mechanisms employed by Gulf Fritillary butterflies and caterpillars, such as poisonous spines and Batesian mimicry, help them survive in their southern regions.
Gulf Fritillary in Butterfly Gardens
Ideal Plants for Attraction
The Gulf Fritillary, part of the butterfly family Nymphalidae, is attracted to various plants in a butterfly garden. As an example, they are known to prefer:
- Zinnia: Brightly colored flowers that provide nectar
- Verbena: A popular choice for butterflies; offers nectar and serves as a host plant
- Butterfly Bush: Produces attractive flowers for butterflies, including the Painted Lady and Monarch Butterfly.
Garden Setup and Maintenance
When setting up a Gulf Fritillary-friendly garden, consider the following elements:
- Sunny Location: Butterflies, like moths and other members of Nymphalidae, enjoy sunlit areas.
- Shelter: Provide trees or shrubs for roosting and protection from wind or rain.
- Puddling Sites: Butterflies need water, so shallow areas with wet sand or soil are ideal.
Maintaining a butterfly garden includes:
- Regular Watering: Keep plants healthy and provide water sources for butterflies.
- Pest Management: Reduce pesticide use to avoid harming butterflies and their larvae.
- Plant Diversity: Offer multiple nectar and host plants for different species, including bands for Monarchs.
| Butterflies | Attracted Plant | Nectar/Host |
|---|---|---|
| Gulf Fritillary | Zinnia | Nectar |
| Painted Lady | Verbena | Both |
| Monarch Butterfly | Butterfly Bush | Nectar |
In conclusion, creating a Gulf Fritillary-friendly butterfly garden involves selecting plants that attract them, providing a suitable environment, and maintaining the garden for their lifecycle.
Quick Facts and Additional Information
- Family: Nymphalidae
- Scientific name: Agraulis vanillae
- Common name: Gulf Fritillary
The Gulf Fritillary is a medium-sized butterfly, with the males generally smaller than the females. Adults have a wingspan range of 65 to 95 mm and can be found in sunny areas such as fields, open woodlands, and butterfly gardens1. The butterfly, also known as Dione vanillae, belongs to the Agraulis genus and is part of the Nymphalidae family.
Females lay small yellow eggs singly on or near leaves, stems, or tendrils of purple passionflower2. The adult butterflies display quick, erratic flight patterns and are easily drawn to flowers like Lantana, Verbena, and Butterfly Bush for nourishment.
Some features of the Gulf Fritillary include:
- Bright orange color with black markings
- Upperside has three black-encircled white dots on the forewing edge
- Underside is brown, with elongated iridescent silver spots
The lifecycle of Gulf Fritillary butterflies is fascinating to observe, beginning with the eggs and progressing through the stages of caterpillar, pupa, and adult.
| Male Gulf Fritillary | Female Gulf Fritillary |
|---|---|
| Smaller in size | Larger in size |
| Lighter orange | Darker orange |
| Less black markings | More black markings |
The adult Gulf Fritillary is not known for its lengthy lifespan but rather for its striking appearance and ability to thrive in various sunny environments. It shares similarities with moths but is distinctly different due to its colorful appearance and diurnal nature.
Footnotes
Reader Emails
Over the years, our website, whatsthatbug.com has received hundreds of letters and some interesting images asking us about these insects. Scroll down to have a look at some of them.
Letter 1 – Mating Great Spangled Fritillaries
Attention … Great Spangled Fritillaries mating
Hi Bugman:
Here are a few photos of mating Great Spangled Fritillaries (Speyeria cybele) for your collection. They were taken on a perfect sunny afternoon last weekend in southwest Manitoba, along a forest trail in mature aspen parkland. The key identifying features of this species are the reddish background color on the underside of the wing, except for the relatively wide and clear yellow/cream band between the last two rows of silver spots on the underside, and the lack of any black spots or dashes on the base (inside of the long squiggly black line) on the upper side of the forewing. Apart from these features most Greater Fritillaries (genus Speyeria) are very similar and difficult to tell apart. I believe the curious intruder was another female (males are generally paler than the females). Keep up the great work! Regards.
Karl
Hi again Karl,
Thank you for your gorgeous photos and the concise species identification information for the Great Spangled Fritillary.
Update: (07/30/2008) Speyeria cybele pictures
Hi,
I noticed the Speyeria Cybele pictures on your front page, I think the identity of the male and female is mixed up. Speyeria cybele females are generally paler than males, especially westward and the color of the disc is a little richer brown. More generally in the genus Speyeria males of most species including cybele have darker scaling along the forewing veins, so I think in the top picture the female is on top while the male is on bottom and in the second picture both of the butterflies showing their topsides are males.
Mike
Response: (07/31/2008)
Thanks Mike.
You were quite correct and I did have the sexes reversed. I should have checked again. To add to your comments, many references do say that the female of the species is darker topside, but this is an overall visual effect caused by the heavier black (or dark brown) markings on females relative to males. The orange background color is always more vivid in the male. This difference is only slight in Manitoba, but increases as you go west, as you suggest (in Alberta the females can be almost black and white). Good call, and thanks again.
Karl
Letter 2 – Bug of the Month: August 2008 – Mating Great Spangled Fritillaries
Attention … Great Spangled Fritillaries mating
Hi Bugman:
Here are a few photos of mating Great Spangled Fritillaries (Speyeria cybele) for your collection. They were taken on a perfect sunny afternoon last weekend in southwest Manitoba, along a forest trail in mature aspen parkland. The key identifying features of this species are the reddish background color on the underside of the wing, except for the relatively wide and clear yellow/cream band between the last two rows of silver spots on the underside, and the lack of any black spots or dashes on the base (inside of the long squiggly black line) on the upper side of the forewing. Apart from these features most Greater Fritillaries (genus Speyeria) are very similar and difficult to tell apart. I believe the curious intruder was another female (males are generally paler than the females). Keep up the great work! Regards.
Karl
Hi again Karl,
Thank you for your gorgeous photos and the concise species identification information for the Great Spangled Fritillary.
Update: (07/30/2008) Speyeria cybele pictures
Hi,
I noticed the Speyeria Cybele pictures on your front page, I think the identity of the male and female is mixed up. Speyeria cybele females are generally paler than males, especially westward and the color of the disc is a little richer brown. More generally in the genus Speyeria males of most species including cybele have darker scaling along the forewing veins, so I think in the top picture the female is on top while the male is on bottom and in the second picture both of the butterflies showing their topsides are males.
Mike
Response: (07/31/2008)
Thanks Mike.
You were quite correct and I did have the sexes reversed. I should have checked again. To add to your comments, many references do say that the female of the species is darker topside, but this is an overall visual effect caused by the heavier black (or dark brown) markings on females relative to males. The orange background color is always more vivid in the male. This difference is only slight in Manitoba, but increases as you go west, as you suggest (in Alberta the females can be almost black and white). Good call, and thanks again.
Karl
Ed. Note: (08/01/2008)
Choosing our Bug of the Month each month is sometimes a difficult decision, but we try to use a very recently submitted photo. The photos that Karl sent of the mating Great Spangled Fritillaries are positively gorgeous, and they brought back fond memories of the Dog Days of Summer in Ohio, and the numerous Fritillaries that would visit roadside wild flowers like milkweed and Joe Pye weed among others. These beautiful and noble butterflies were also among the favorites of Vladimir Nabokov, one of our favorite authors.
Letter 3 – Tiger Swallowtail, Snowberry Clearwing and Great Spangled Fritillary nectaring on thistle
living in harmony
Message from nature…’we could all get along if we’d just learn to share…’ Thought you’d enjoy this ‘last of summer’ treat taken at a meadow in Busch’s Wildlife Area in St. Charles County, MO. By the way, if one of your goals for this site was to change just one person’s way they view bugs and insects and to learn to live in harmony with nature, you’ve succeeded…I find myself telling our grandchildren on our nature walks that it’s not necessary to step on and kill everything that crawls…thanks for the life lesson…
Pat, Hawk Point, MO
Forgot to ID the eastern tiger swallowtail and snowberry clearwing moth, and in the upper left-hand corner a giant spangled fritillary with the lower wings missing….
Pat
Hi Pat,
Thank you for your photo and philosophical approach. We are happy to hear that our site is helping to educate people regarding tolerance.
Letter 4 – Great Spangled Fritillary
What kind of butterfly is this?
Please tell me what kind of butterfly this is? Thanks. picture taken in PA.
Pamela
Hi Pamela,
This is one of the Greater Fritillaries. We are relatively certain it is the Great Spangled Fritillary, Speyeria cybele.
Letter 5 – Greater Fritillary, probably Great Spangled Fritillary, attracted by sweat
Fritillary Butterfly
Bugman,
This butterfly landed on my son’s neck last week and hung around long enough for my daughter-in-law to take several pictures. I researched butterflies on your website and found several references to various Fritillary butterflies. Could you please tell me which one it is? We live in the Monadnock area of New Hampshire.
Your website is wonderful. Every time I see something new in the yard I try to look it up, if I can get a photo to use for comparison. It happens that I am flying to Los Angeles on July 22 to visit my daughter, so I hope that we will be able attend your lecture at the Getty. It would be a real treat! Thank you.
Mary Goode
Hi Mary,
Other than knowing that this is a Greater Fritillary in the genus Speyeria, we are not able to identify the species. Perhaps one of our skilled readers can provide that answer. Many butterflies congregate around mud puddles and other sources of dissolved salts and minerals shortly after metamorphosis. We believe this Greater Fritillary is drinking from the sweat on your son’s neck because of the salts and electrolytes. Please introduce yourself if you come to the Getty lecture. The Maria Sibylla Merian show is quite beautiful and well worth seeing.
Correction: (07/22/2008) Fritillary identification
Hi Bugman:
Identifying greater fritillaries from photos, even a good one like this, is always a challenge, but I will plunge in anyway. From the underside coloration I think this can only be a Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele) or an Aphrodite Fritillary (Speyeria aphrodite). The relatively wide and clear yellow band between the last two rows of silver spots on the underside leads me to go with Great Spangled. In contrast to other greater fritillaries, this species has no black spots on the inside (toward the base) of the long squiggly line on the upper side of the forewing, but this photo unfortunately doesn’t quite show that part of the wing.
Regards
Karl
Letter 6 – Great Spangled Fritillary
what type of butterfly is this
August 14, 2009
this little butterfly was in our front yard most of the morning…ive never seen this type here before
w genson
newaygo county Michigan
Dear w genson,
What gorgeous photos. This is a Great Spangled Fritillary, Speyeria cybele. Often we are reluctant to identify Fritillaries to the species level, but we are pretty confident with this one. The caterpillars of Fritillaries eat violet leaves. BugGuide has many photos for comparison.
You may also see the other members of the genus on Bugguide.
Letter 7 – Great Spangled Fritillary
Fritillaries?
June 23, 2010
Hi Daniel, I don’t know the species of these but maybe something you were looking for. They are some that looked sort of like “Fritillaries” to me. I have more but the site only allows three images. If you would like more let me know and I will send them thru outlook express. Thank You and have a great day
Richard
North Middle Tennessee
Hi Richard,
Two of your photos are of Fritillaries, probably the Great Spangled Fritillary, Speyeria cybele, which is profiled on BugGuide. Your third photo is of a Question Mark, the other butterfly we requested photos of.
Letter 8 – Great Spangled Fritillary
Butterfly
Location: Cary, IL – Chicagoland
August 15, 2010 6:55 pm
What butterfly is this?
Thanks!
Johnna
Hi Johnna,
This is a Fritillary, and we are often reluctant to identify members of the genus to the species level, but we believe your specimen is a Great Spangled Fritillary, Speyeria cybele. You may read about the Great Spangled Fritillary on BugGuide.
Thank you! That was fast, you guys are awesome!
Letter 9 – Great Spangled Fritillary
Great Spangled Fritillary
Location: Cumberland Plateau, rural southeast Tennessee
August 21, 2010 11:13 am
Hi Daniel,
It looks like a great year for butterflies. We saw this beauty this morning, and think it is a Great Spangled Fritillary.
Thanks for all your work!
Bob Kieffer
Hi Bob,
We are very happy to be able to post your wonderful image of a Great Spangled Fritillary.
Letter 10 – Five Brushfooted Butterflies on Milkweed in Canada: Monarch, White Admiral, Common Wood Nymph, Comma and Great Spangled Fritillary
Life (and death) in a milkweed patch
Life (and death) in a milkweed patch
Location: Manitoba’s Birds Hill Provincial Park, Canada
December 28, 2010
Hi Daniel:
Every July tens of thousands of people descend on Manitoba’s Birds Hill Provincial Park for one of Canada’s, and North America’s, oldest and largest folk festivals (we haven’t missed it for more than 30 years!). In 2006 I discovered the most impressive milkweed patch I have ever seen, wedged between a parking lot and an oak forest, and was thrilled with the abundant and diverse bug life I found there. … If you or any of your readers are interested, I have uploaded a collection of photos taken at this location since 2006 (with more to follow next year, I am sure). I am still working on some of the identifications and I am not certain about some of the ones I have inserted, so any comments or suggestions would be welcomed and appreciated. Regards. Karl
Hi Karl,
We will let you know if we post any of your other wonderful images.
Go ahead and borrow anything you like, or let me know if you have anything specific in mind. I have thousands of photos that I have been meaning to organize and perhaps upload, but I just haven’t been able to find the time. Perhaps next year. Have a great new year! K
Hi Karl,
You have so many wonderful images. We decided to concentrate on only the Brush Footed Butterflies in the family Nymphalidae that you have photographed, including the Monarch, White Admiral, Common Wood Nymph, Comma and Great Spangled Fritillary.
Letter 11 – Great Spangled Fritillary and the need for Violets
Subject: Great Spangled Fritillary
Geographic location of the bug: Campbell, Ohio
Date: 07/12/2022
Time: 11:40 AM EDT
Dear Readers,
Since taking over the guardianship of Pearl’s garden, Daniel has been doing what he can to maintain the semblance of a tended garden while making it even more welcoming to wildlife. That includes letting the lawn grow taller, hence not cutting the violets that are growing in many places in the lawn. Violets are the only host plants to Fritillaries in the genus Speyeria, a genus in decline.
For the past few weeks Daniel is certain he has sighted a Fritillary on several occasions, but could not get a good look nor a photo. Yesterday, a tattered Great Spangled Fritillary alighted on a potted Zinnia (a marvelous annual for attracting pollinating insects including butterflies) and he had his magicphone handy.
Daniel hopes that in addition to providing nectar sources to attract the adult butterflies, that the increasing numbers of violets, including white violets, will provide habitat for caterpillars as well, leading to a breeding population of Fritillaries in his yard.
Hey Bugman, I finally have a reason to head to Birds Hill! We’ve lived here in Winterpeg for five years and have never gone there, largely because it IS so popular. We’ll definitely have to set aside an afternoon next summer. Thanks Karl for providing the incentive. By the way, I got CURIOUS WORLD for Christmas, much to my delight. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Happy New Year!
Dear Bugophile,
I am happy to hear that Karl’s excellent photos of the milkweed meadow at Birds Hill Provincial Park have inspired you to visit. There is a delicate balance between having open spaces that are preserved yet encouraging people to visit and use the land. Karl’s efforts toward the preservation of the milkweed while still allowing the folk festival to continue are very admirable. There are probably many places along roadsides in your area where there are stands of milkweed that are on private land and may one day be lost to development. My own nostalgia for the woods and meadows along the Ohio-Pennsylvania border and their rich ecosystems, including stands of milkweed, joe-pye weed, goldenrod and other plants that attract insects including multitudes of butterflies was triggered by Karls wonderful photographs. Thanks for letting me know that you enjoyed the book.
Daniel
Actually, we live mere blocks away from Living Prairie Museum, which has a wonderful milkweed meadow, and one of their features is a Monarch Festival every summer. I am also trying to create my own milkweed stand in the front garden, although the success rate has been sketchy at best. Maybe this year… Interestingly, milkweed is officially considered a noxious weed here.
Bugophile