Table of Contents
How many fritillary butterflies are there?
There are fourteen species of the so-called greater fritillaries (genus Speyeria) and sixteen lesser fritillaries (genus Bolloria). The greater fritillaries are larger than the lesser ones as their name indicates. Some of them are very hard to tell apart and when seen in flight it is easy to make mistakes.
Where do fritillary butterflies live?
The Gulf fritillary occurs throughout the southern United States southward through Mexico, Central America and the West Indies to South America. In Florida, it can be found in all 67 counties. The butterfly undergoes distinct seasonal movements each year.
How do you attract Gulf fritillary?
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.
What butterflies lay eggs on passion vine?
Two species of native butterflies lay their eggs on passion vines: gulf fritillary and zebra longwing.
What does a gulf fritillary look like?
Gulf fritillaries are large black-and-orange butterflies with distinct silver markings on the undersides of the wings. The caterpillars have similar coloration, an orange body with rows of long black spines.
Can I touch 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. The chrysalis resembles a dead leaf.
How do you attract gulf fritillary butterflies?
Providing flowering plants that offer nectar is a first step. Generally, I recommend using native plants, especially when feeding native butterflies. Native salvias, bee balm, Tithonia, asters, and others are great, but the fritillaries also love to feed on lantana, zinnias, and other plants.
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.
What butterflies host on passion vine?
Passion vines are a favorite for butterflies; in fact this plant is both a nectar and host plant to the Gulf Fritillary butterfly. The adult Fritillary will feed on the flower nectar, and then will lay eggs on the plant. Eggs will hatch in to tiny caterpillars that will eat the leaves.
What butterflies use passion vine as a host plant?
Inspiration Passion Vine (Passiflora) is a host plant for the Gulf Fritillary (Agraulis vanillae) and Julia (Dryas iulia) butterflies. It has a beautiful purple bloom that attracts butterflies to nectar as well as lay to eggs.
What plants attract Gulf fritillary?
Nectar and Host Plants Used by the Gulf Fritillary Nectar plants used by the Gulf Fritillary include Lantana, Butterfly Bush, Zinnia, Aster, Thistle, Verbena, and others. Its host plants are Passion Vine and Passion Flower.
What flowers attract gulf fritillary?
Nectar plants used by the Gulf Fritillary include Lantana, Butterfly Bush, Zinnia, Aster, Thistle, Verbena, and others. Its host plants are Passion Vine and Passion Flower.
What are the different types of fritillaries in butterflies?
Fritillary Butterflies: The Other Orange Butterflies 1 Greater Fritillaries: Speyeria. In some areas of the country, Speyeria fritillary identification can be challenging. 2 Other Fritillaries (Heliconiinae) North American Heliconiinae typically divide between the southern Longwings and the wider ranging fritillaries. 3 Longwings.
What does a great spangled fritillary butterfly look like?
Great spangled fritillary adults are large, rusty orange butterflies with black or dark brown markings; the base of the wings is somewhat darker. The undersides of the hindwings have prominent silvery white spots on a dark brown background, with a tan band along the outer margin. Females are darker above than males.
How many species of butterflies are in Costa Rica?
Butterflies are one of the most colorful creatures of Costa Rica. With 1500 different species of Butterfly and 12 000 different species of moths, the numbers are staggering. Costa Rica has 90% of all Central American species and 18 percent of the total earth’s population.
Do Butterflies have Fritillaries in the Gulf?
Butterfly hobbiests sometimes rear Gulf fritillaries from eggs in their gardens, and these fritillaries might appear in your neighborhood, too. This butterfly has elongated wings, and the underside silvery spots are elongated, too.