The Gulf Fritillary, argaulis vanilae, can be found in all 67 counties of Florida. The females tend to be larger than males. The female coloring is darker orange with more extensive markings, while the male is lighter orange with less prominent markings.

The male displays a “wing clap” to attract the opposite sex as it perches and flaps its wings open and shut for the female, according to the Alabama Wildlife Federation.

The host plants for the gulf fritillary are those of the passionflower: maypop passion vine and corky stem passion.  The females will lay a single yellow eggs near leaves, on stems or tendrils, which take about three to five days to hatch.

This is the second butterfly that came to our garden and remains a favorite due to its bright orange color and beautiful markings when their wings are closed.

The fritillary caterpillar will spend up to 16 days eating its host plant, molting, shedding its skin, as it grows larger and larger.

The caterpillars also take in toxins from the passionflower, which are stored and kept in their bodies through turning into a butterfly, according to the Alabama Wildlife Federation.

Once the caterpillar is done eating it will find the perfect location for its “J” form. Once the skin splits the brown chrysalis is formed, which takes anywhere from 11 to 21 days to completely metamorphosis.

As an adult butterfly, the gulf fritillary uses a gland on their abdomen, which releases a chemical if and when it is disturbed, the Alabama Wildlife Federation stated. 

The gulf fritillary’s life span is anywhere from 14 to 27 days.