The gulf fritillary caterpillars are multiplying quickly in the garden again.
Every time I bring in more food for them in the butterfly enclosure, there’s more little caterpillsrs on the maypop passionvine.
The caterpillars are slowly reaching their desired length and making it to the top of the enclosure. This morning, one was finally in its chrysalis form.
It’s been quite a few months since we have taken these caterpillars in to watch their life cycle.
A walk through the garden showed an abundance of gulf fritillary caterpillars hungrily chomping away on my maypop passionvine, which of course turned into more in the butterfly house. The ones I found are of good size and look to be almost done with their last instar.
This gulf fritillary decided to make its J right at the opening of the butterfly house, which was perfect for me to witness, and photograph (only 133 photos) the chrysalis being created.
It’s truly fascinating to watch, as every caterpillar goes about this final transformation different. The making of the chrysalis always leaves me in awe. As I was watching it unfold through the lens of the camera, I saw the muscle contractions intensify as it was shedding its skin. I am always shocked how violently they “dance” at the end remaining attached to the silken thread that has them attached to the surface they choose.
I had six more in the J form after this one completed its chrysalis. This one joined a half a dozen other chrysalis in the butterfly house. The house is going to be a sea of orange soon.
The gulf fritillary caterpillar will eat between 11 to 16 days to reach the correct size to create its chrysalis. This guy is nearing the end of the final instar.
With the maypop passion vine popping up all over the yard, outside of the garden, it has been easy to feed the caterpillars that are residing in the butterfly house. They do not discriminate against any part of the plant – once the flowers and leaves are gone, they go after the stem of the plant.
And of course, what the caterpillar turns into after emerging from its chrysalis. A gulf fritillary butterfly.
My gardens have come alive again, which is such a great sign after so much devastation to Southwest Florida following Hurricane Ian.
The gulf fritilary has made a come back. Boy, oh, boy what a welcome sight. Great news is as of right now I have host plant galore for them to feed upon.
Some of the maypop passion vine that is growing outside the garden, I have been slowly picking to put in the butterfly house with caterpillars I am finding.
One of the caterpillars has already created its famous J, ready to make its chrysalis.
As I was cleaning out the last of my butterfly gardens this afternoon I spotted a gulf fritillary chrysalis on the post of our swings. That caterpillar sure traveled to find its perfect destination.