Description: 2 1/2-2 7/8" (64-73
mm). Forewings (upper wings) long, narrow. Brilliant red-orange
above with a few black spots, black network along hindwings (lowe
wings) border, and cluster of tiny white spots on forewings.
Below, forewings
similar
but with bright coral-pink base and metallic
silver-white teardrops near
tip; hindwings below dull to rich brown or olive with many silver-white
orbs and streaks.
Life Cycle: Egg oblong, ribbed, yellow. Caterpillar,
to 1 1/2" (38
mm), dark brown with rust-colored stripes, and 6 rows of branching
black spines (2 on head are long and curve backward). Host plants
are passion flowers (Passiflora incarnata and other species). Chrysalis,
to 1 1/8" (28 mm), long, curved; mottled brown and warty,
resembling a dried-up leaf.
Flight: Several broods; early spring-winter in far South, summer
in North.
Habitat: Subtropical forest edges, city gardens, canyons; open,
sunny areas with abundant flowers.
Range: San Francisco Bay to Baja California; resident throughout
southern U.S. into Mexico, emigrating northward into Great Basin,
Rockies, and Midwest, Great Lakes and mid-Atlantic states.
Discussion: As its name implies, this beautiful insect haunts
the Gulf of Mexico, and may be seen flying far out over the water.
Although it has silver spots like the true fritillaries, the Gulf
Fritillary is not closely related to them. Significant emigratory
flights of Gulf Fritillaries often take place from the Southeast.
Colonization of the North is temporary, as neither the butterfly
nor its host plants can withstand northern winters.
