A striking medium-sized butterfly with brilliant orange upper wings and silver-spotted underwings. Common in Gulf Coast gardens with passionflower vines.

Native status: Native to Americas; common in southern US

§ Quick facts

SizeWingspan 5.7–9.5 cm (2.2–3.7 in)
Weight~0.4 g
LifespanAdults 1–2 months; multiple generations per year
OrderLepidoptera
FamilyNymphalidae

§ Encyclopedia

The Gulf fritillary or passion butterfly is a bright orange butterfly in the subfamily Heliconiinae of the family Nymphalidae. That subfamily was formerly set apart as a separate family, the Heliconiidae. The Heliconiinae are "longwing butterflies", which have long, narrow wings compared to other butterflies.

Source: Wikipedia — Gulf fritillary Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Medium-large orange butterfly with elongated wings, two large dark spots on each forewing; underside silver-spangled (the silver scales reflect sunlight).

Similar species. Variegated Fritillary (true fritillary; different shape). Monarch (different markings). Painted Lady (different pattern).

Voice. N/A

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Adults: nectar (lantana, milkweed, butterfly bush). Caterpillars: passion vines (Passiflora) — sequester their toxic alkaloids for adult defense.

Behavior. Common across the southern US; periodically migrates north into the Midwest and Plains in massive numbers, then dies off with the first frost. Caterpillars are striking — bright orange with long black spines. Adults are toxic to predators (from passion vine alkaloids); the brilliant orange coloration is aposematic. Pupates as a remarkable "dead-leaf" mimic chrysalis hanging from a stem.

§ Range

Southern US into Central and South America

§ Habitat

Open habitats, gardens

§ Threats

Loss of native passionflower, lawn-centric yards, pesticides.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the gulf fritillary is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Plant native passionflower (Passiflora). Skip pesticides. Maintain weedy corners.

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§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • Butterflies and Moths of North America
  • Xerces Society
  • iNaturalist