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Gulf Fritillary

Gulf Fritillary

Dione vanillae

Least Concern

Quick Facts

Kingdom: Animalia
Abundance: Common
Habitat: Forest, Grassland, Urban
Activity: Diurnal (Active during day)

A bright orange butterfly with narrow, elongated wings. The top of the wing is orange with thin black streaks and spots. The underside of the wings is brown and speckled with silvery white dots. Females are typically distinctively larger in size than males. Caterpillars are generally orange with black branched spines and greenish-black stripes.

Diet

The host plants for Gulf Fritillary larvae are in the Passiflora genus (passionflower), this includes Purple and Yellow Passionflower. Adults feed on nectar.

Activity Pattern

Diurnal (Active during day)
Kingdom: Animalia
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Phylum: Arthropoda
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Class: Insecta
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Order: Lepidoptera
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Family: Nymphalidae
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Genus: Dione
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Species: Dione vanillae

Scientific Name

Dione vanillae
Migration Pattern
Adults move northward in spring and form temporarily breeding colonies throughout the southeast. Starting in late summer and continuing through fall, huge numbers of adults migrate southward into peninsular Florida.

Behavior

These butterflies secrete a chemical with a distinct odor as a defense mechanism. Males also supply "nuptial gifts" during mating which consists of transferring extra nutrients to the female which is then used to advance egg development.

Ecological Role

Adults act as pollinators and their larva are a food source for birds

Activity Pattern

Diurnal (Active during day)

Habitat Types

Forest
Grassland
Urban

Geographic Distribution

Gulf fritillaries are found primarily in the southern parts of the contiguous United States, from Florida and Georgia to Texas and California. However, this butterfly’s range can extend from the Southern United States into parts of Mexico and Central America and sometimes as far as parts of South America. They are also found in Hawaii.

Local Abundance

Common

Conservation Status

Least Concern

This species is widespread and abundant. No immediate threat to survival.

How You Can Help

  • Report sightings to contribute to population monitoring
  • Support habitat conservation efforts
  • Follow guidelines when observing wildlife
No field notes or observations available for this species.

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