It’s truly fascinating to watch nature, the lifecycle unfold right before your eyes.

Today there were two gulf fritillaries attached, mating, in our front garden. The first I have witnessed of this species.

I went to move a leaf, carefully not disturbing the courtship, to take a photo, and the male climbed right onto my finger before taking its companion on a flight to another destination.

As I have stated before, the male, after successfully courting the female, will meet the top of the female’s reproductive opening by bending the tip of his abdomen and grabbing firmly with its claspers. This is done in opposite directions, and if disturbed the female will fly upside down while attached to the male.

They were together for quite a while.

Good thing I have lots of the gulf fritillary’s host plant in the gardens for the female to lay eggs.