Can I touch a gulf fritillary caterpillar?
The larvae, which are shiny orange with black spines, feed on the leaves of passionflower vines which render them poisonous to predators. Gulf Fritillary caterpillars are non-stinging if touched.
What does a gulf fritillary butterfly?
The adult butterflies use nectar from many flowers, including Lantana plants. The Passiflora host plants are frequently called passion vines; in some Texan counties where this butterfly’s population is high, gulf fritillaries will feed on specific species such as Passiflora lutea and Passiflora affinis.
What do gulf fritillary butterflies do in the winter?
Individual vagrants may occasionally reach into the central U.S., but rarely into the Midwest. Starting in late summer and continuing through fall, huge numbers of adults migrate southward into peninsular Florida. Adults overwinter in frost-free portions of their range.
How do you attract Gulf fritillary butterflies?
Plants for Gulf Fritillary Butterflies See a list of flowering plants that provide nectar and host plants for butterflies. To help this butterfly thrive and reproduce, plant the host plant for their larvae: the passionflower vine. This is the number one item that should be in your garden to attract these butterflies.
How do you get rid of gulf fritillary caterpillars?
You can also spray the entire plant with insecticidal oil to kill any caterpillars. You might also consider contacting botanical gardens in your area to find out if they have a butterfly garden where the caterpillars might be welcome.
How do you take care of gulf fritillary caterpillars?
Tips for Rearing Gulf Fritillary Caterpillars at home or in the classroom:
- Collect caterpillars from host/food plants in your garden (passion vine).
- Use a screened habitat with clippings of the vine in a bottle of water/jar, cover with a screen/net/plastice to protect the caterpillars from the water.
How long does it take for a gulf fritillary to emerge from its chrysalis?
Gulf Fritillary Life Cycle: Stages and Timings
| Stage | Duration |
|---|---|
| Egg stage | 4 to 8 days |
| Caterpillar (larval) stage | 2 to 3 weeks |
| Chrysalis (pupal) stage | 5 to 10 days |
| Adult butterfly stage | 2 to 4 weeks |
Do birds eat gulf fritillary caterpillars?
The larva are poisonous if eaten. Their toxic flesh provides gulf fritillary caterpillars with excellent protection from predators. Birds avoid them.
Where do gulf fritillary go in the winter?
But, when winter comes, all Gulf Fritillaries wherever freezing temperatures occur… die. Usually that means that all across the US they die, except in southern Florida and southern Texas. They do not leave behind eggs and pupae that survive the cold.
What flowers attract Gulf fritillary?
Gulf fritillary caterpillars rely on passionflower (Passiflora spp.) such as Purple passionflower (P. incarnata), Yellow passionflower (P. lutea) and Corkystem passionflower (P.
How do I stop caterpillars eating my passion vine?
If you’d prefer not to sacrifice your vines to voracious caterpillars, you have a few options. You can check your vines daily for eggs (small and yellow, laid on any and all parts of the plant) and remove them. You can also spray the entire plant with insecticidal oil to kill any caterpillars.
What does a gulf fritillary caterpillar look like?
Gulf fritillaries lay yellow eggs singly on or near the host plant — generally the leaves, stems and tendrils of passionflowers. Caterpillars are orange to reddish-brown with orange-brown stripes and black spines. The pupa stage is mottled brown and resembles a dead leaf.
Where can Agraulis vanillae be found?
Agraulis vanillae is most commonly found in the southern areas of the United States, specifically in many regions of Florida and Texas. Gulf fritillaries have a chemical defense mechanism in which they release odorous chemicals in response to predator sightings. As a result, common predators learn to avoid this species.
What are the characteristics of the Gulf fritillary butterfly?
Characteristics of the Gulf Fritillary Butterfly. The Gulf Fritillary is commonly found in open, sunny areas such as parks, woodland edges, roadsides, fields and urban gardens. It occurs throughout the southern United States, from Florida to California, and southward through Mexico.
What is the phylogeny of Agraulis?
A phylogenetic analysis reported in 2019 placed Agraulis as a sub-genus of Dione. In its adult form, the gulf fritillary is a medium-sized butterfly that has extended forewings and a wingspan range of 6.5 to 9.5 cm.
When was the Gulf fritillary moved to the genus Agraulis?
The species was moved to the genus Agraulis in 1835 by Boisduval & Le Conte. A phylogenetic analysis reported in 2019 placed Agraulis as a sub-genus of Dione. In its adult form, the gulf fritillary is a medium-sized butterfly that has extended forewings and a wingspan range of 6.5 to 9.5 cm.