Did you know when a butterfly completes its metamorphosis it is referred to as “eclose?” Well, this beauty successfully emerged from its chrysalis in the garden this morning.

The gulf fritillary, argaulis vanilae, is one of abundance in my garden. With many other butterfly species, the females are larger than the males and have darker orange coloring with more extensive markings. The male has lighter orange coloring with less prominent markings.

When the gulf fritillary is disturbed it will release chemicals from their abdominal glands, which produce a very unpleasant odor telling predators to leave them alone. As with many other butterflies, the host plant, in this case the corky stem passion vine and maypop passion vine, in which the caterpillar eats contains toxins. These toxins consumed by the caterpillar and transferred to the butterfly will become lethal to those predators that do not have the same immunities.