Gulf fritillary butterflies, also known as passion butterflies because of its preference for the host plant passionflower (Passiflora incarnata), is a medium-sized new world butterfly species. The butterfly has black and white markings on its wings which is why it is called a fritillary. The Gulf fritillary butterfly (Agraulis vanillae) is available in abundance throughout the neotropics. The contrasting bright orange color of these butterflies makes it easy to locate them near the host plant, purple passionflower (Passiflora incarnata). They reach Central and South America through the Gulf of Mexico from Florida and Texas. The Gulf fritillary butterfly life cycle is divided into four stages. After reproduction, several eggs are produced, which hatch within five days producing the larva. The larvae enter the next stage of the life cycle that is the pupae which change into a Gulf fritillary butterfly caterpillar after seven to 12 days. The Gulf fritillary caterpillar forms a chrysalis and stays intact within the chrysalis. After 20 days, a small crack appears at the rear portion of the chrysalis from where the adult emerges.If you are interested to learn and know more about the life of this butterfly, then you can go through these amazing facts. For similar content, check out viceroy butterfly and morpho butterfly facts too.
Fun Gulf Fritillary Butterfly Facts For Kids
What do they prey on? N/A
What do they eat? Herbivore
Average litter size? 100-300 eggs
How much do they weigh? N/A
How long are they? 2-3.5 in (6.4-7.6 cm)
How tall are they? N/A
What do they look like? Orange and black
Skin Type Exoskeleton
What were their main threats? Humans
What is their conservation status? Least Concern
Where you’ll find them? Open Pastures
Locations America
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Agraulis
Class Insecta
Family Nymphalidae
Gulf Fritillary Butterfly Interesting FactsWhat type of animal is a Gulf fritillary butterfly?The Gulf fritillary (Agraulis vanillae) is a type of butterfly.What class of animal does a Gulf fritillary butterfly belong to?Gulf fritillaries belong to the class Insecta.How many Gulf fritillary butterflies are there in the world?The exact information about the Gulf fritillary butterfly population and its population trend is absent. NatureServe estimated that there are more than 1,000,000 individuals.Where does a Gulf fritillary butterfly live?The Gulf fritillary butterfly (Agraulis vanillae) is a new world insect that ranges from the southern United States down to South America. In the United States, most of the species inhabit Texas and Florida. Migration takes place in the summer from Texas and Florida either northwards or southwards in peninsular Florida. They live in areas containing their host plants passionflower (Passiflora incarnata); however, at present, the species range has expanded.What is a Gulf fritillary butterfly’s habitat?The bright orange adult Gulf fritillary butterflies, along with the Gulf fritillary caterpillars, prefer open habitat. They live in open gardens, fields, and pastures, mainly in the dryland of Texas and Florida. Secondary growth is found in tropical and subtropical forests. Many gulf fritillary caterpillars are attached to the host plants, passion vines, and the butterfly is found flying near the passion flower.Who do Gulf fritillary butterflies live with?A Gulf fritillary butterfly (Agraulis vanillae) can be sometimes be found in groups, and sometimes they live alone. A group of butterflies is called a roost or bivouac. While migrating, they do not form flocks like birds.How long does a Gulf fritillary butterfly live?The adult butterfly, after emerging from the chrysalis, lives for a few weeks. The average Gulf fritillary butterfly lifespan ranges between 14 to 27 days.How do they reproduce?The courtship generally occurs when an adult male Gulf fritillary butterfly sits on a female perched on a Gulf fritillary butterfly host plant like the passionflower (Passiflora incarnata). Mating starts after the male species display their wings at the female species with the antennae of females between their wings. They produce yellow-colored eggs which are laid one at a time. The eggs of Gulf fritillary butterflies are laid on the surface of the leaves of the host plants or near them. The Gulf fritillary butterfly eggs hatch after three to five days, and the larvae emerge from it.What is their conservation status?The Gulf fritillary butterfly (Agraulis vanillae) is found in abundance throughout its range. They are enlisted as a species of Least Concern in the IUCN Red List. At present, there are no viable records of any threat that impacts their population, although there is no information about any predominant small-scale and local threats.Gulf Fritillary Butterfly Fun FactsWhat do Gulf fritillary butterflies look like?The larvae stage of the Gulf fritillary (Agraulis vanillae) shows bright orange color with black spines on it. The pupae look like a dead leaf with brown color. The Gulf fritillary caterpillar has sharp black spines on its body. The Gulf fritillary caterpillar turns gray before creating the chrysalis. The adult Gulf fritillary butterfly is a medium-sized butterfly and has long wings. The wings are bright orange with white spots and black markings. The underpart of the wings is brown with white spots. These white spots and black markings are more defined in the wings of a female.How cute are they?The measure of the cuteness of a butterfly is subjective. The beauty of these insects mainly depends on their vibrant colors, which attract many people.How do they communicate?Gulf fritillaries mainly communicate by chemical cues. Pheromones are produced by males to attracts females for mating.How big is a Gulf fritillary butterfly?The Gulf fritillaries are medium-sized butterflies with females larger than males. The Gulf fritillary butterfly wingspan ranges between 2.6-3.7 in (6.5-9.5 cm), and their length varies between 2-3.5 in (6.4-7.6 cm). The length of a Gulf fritillary caterpillar ranges between 1-1.5 in (2.5-3.8 cm).How fast can Gulf fritillary butterflies fly?Although their exact speed is not determined, Gulf fritillaries (Agraulis vanillae) are considered to be fast fliers among their species and fly above human reach. Gulf fritillary caterpillars, on the other hand, move very slow and spend their time on the dead leaf.How much does a Gulf fritillary butterfly weigh?The weight of Gulf fritillaries is not determined and is thought to be negligible.What are their male and female names of the species?There is no specific name for a male and female of this species. Both of them are called Gulf fritillary butterflies.What would you call a baby Gulf fritillary butterfly?Like the babies of a Nymphalidae species, a baby of a Gulf fritillary butterfly is called a nymph.What do they eat?The larvae eat eggs or nibble on the dead leaf of the host plants. The Gulf fritillary caterpillar also feeds on different parts of the host passionflower plants. When it metamorphosizes into an adult Gulf fritillary butterfly, it sucks nectar from passionflower (Passiflora incarnata).Are they dangerous?The Gulf fritillary butterfly is not dangerous. However, their caterpillar flesh contains some amount of toxic poison to protect themselves.Would they make a good pet?They do make good pets and bond with humans but confining and restricting a butterfly in a closed place is brutal.Did you know…Sometimes in the absence of food, the Gulf fritillary caterpillar involves in cannibalism, eating its own type.When does the Gulf fritillary butterfly lay eggs in Florida?The Gulf fritillary butterfly populates southern parts of the United States, mainly Texas and Florida, where passionflower growth is abundant. They do not have any particular breeding season and lay eggs on the leaves of a passionflower plant throughout the year.What is the spiritual meaning if you see a Gulf fritillary butterfly?In many cultures, butterflies have a deep spiritual meaning, and it is believed that watching one brings good luck. It also has a deeper symbolic connection with the Christian belief of ascension. Other than that, the general beliefs associated with a butterfly are joy, creativity, transformation, and spiritual rebirth. Similarly, these beliefs also remain valid when you see a Gulf fritillary butterfly.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other arthropods including cabbage white butterfly, or queen butterfly.You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one on our Gulf fritillary butterfly coloring pages.
What type of animal is a Gulf fritillary butterfly?
The Gulf fritillary (Agraulis vanillae) is a type of butterfly.
Fun Gulf Fritillary Butterfly Facts For Kids
What do they prey on? N/A
What do they eat? Herbivore
Average litter size? 100-300 eggs
How much do they weigh? N/A
How long are they? 2-3.5 in (6.4-7.6 cm)
How tall are they? N/A
What do they look like? Orange and black
Skin Type Exoskeleton
What were their main threats? Humans
What is their conservation status? Least Concern
Where you’ll find them? Open Pastures
Locations America
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Agraulis
Class Insecta
Family Nymphalidae
Fun Gulf Fritillary Butterfly Facts For Kids
What do they prey on? N/A
What do they eat? Herbivore
Average litter size? 100-300 eggs
How much do they weigh? N/A
How long are they? 2-3.5 in (6.4-7.6 cm)
How tall are they? N/A
What do they look like? Orange and black
Skin Type Exoskeleton
What were their main threats? Humans
What is their conservation status? Least Concern
Where you’ll find them? Open Pastures
Locations America
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Agraulis
Class Insecta
Family Nymphalidae
Fun Gulf Fritillary Butterfly Facts For Kids
What do they prey on? N/A
What do they eat? Herbivore
Average litter size? 100-300 eggs
How much do they weigh? N/A
How long are they? 2-3.5 in (6.4-7.6 cm)
How tall are they? N/A
What do they look like? Orange and black
Skin Type Exoskeleton
What were their main threats? Humans
What is their conservation status? Least Concern
Where you’ll find them? Open Pastures
Locations America
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Agraulis
Class Insecta
Family Nymphalidae
Fun Gulf Fritillary Butterfly Facts For Kids
What do they prey on? N/A
What do they eat? Herbivore
Average litter size? 100-300 eggs
How much do they weigh? N/A
How long are they? 2-3.5 in (6.4-7.6 cm)
How tall are they? N/A
What do they look like? Orange and black
Skin Type Exoskeleton
What were their main threats? Humans
What is their conservation status? Least Concern
Where you’ll find them? Open Pastures
Locations America
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Agraulis
Class Insecta
Family Nymphalidae
What do they prey on? N/A
What do they eat? Herbivore
Average litter size? 100-300 eggs
How much do they weigh? N/A
How long are they? 2-3.5 in (6.4-7.6 cm)
How tall are they? N/A
What do they look like? Orange and black
Skin Type Exoskeleton
What were their main threats? Humans
What is their conservation status? Least Concern
Where you’ll find them? Open Pastures
Locations America
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Agraulis
Class Insecta
Family Nymphalidae
What do they prey on? N/A
What do they eat? Herbivore
Average litter size? 100-300 eggs
How much do they weigh? N/A
How long are they? 2-3.5 in (6.4-7.6 cm)
How tall are they? N/A
What do they look like? Orange and black
Skin Type Exoskeleton
What were their main threats? Humans
What is their conservation status? Least Concern
What do they prey on?
N/A
What do they eat?
Herbivore
Average litter size?
100-300 eggs
How much do they weigh?
How long are they?
2-3.5 in (6.4-7.6 cm)
How tall are they?
What do they look like?
Orange and black
Skin Type
Exoskeleton
What were their main threats?
Humans
What is their conservation status?
Least Concern
Where you’ll find them? Open Pastures
Locations America
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Agraulis
Class Insecta
Family Nymphalidae
Where you’ll find them?
Open Pastures
Locations
America
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Agraulis
Kingdom
Animalia
Genus
Agraulis
Class Insecta
Family Nymphalidae
