What does the gulf fritillary butterfly eat?

Gulf Fritillaries nectar on all of the usual flowers which attract other species, but lay their eggs exclusively on Passionflower Vines (Passiflora sp.). The larvae, which are shiny orange with black spines, feed on the leaves of passionflower vines which render them poisonous to predators.

1. What do gulf fritillary butterflies eat?
2. What can I feed gulf fritillary caterpillars?
3. Do birds eat gulf fritillary butterflies?
4. How do you attract Gulf fritillary butterflies?
5. How do you tell the difference between a male and female gulf fritillary?
6. How do you tell fritillaries apart?
7. Do gulf fritillaries migrate?
8. What is the lifespan of a Gulf fritillary?
9. Can you touch gulf fritillary caterpillars?
10. What does a fritillary caterpillar look like?
11. What do gulf fritillary butterflies do in the winter?
12. How big do gulf fritillary caterpillars get?
13. How do I keep caterpillars off my passion vine?

What do gulf fritillary butterflies eat?

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 can I feed gulf fritillary caterpillars?

Gulf fritillary caterpillars rely on passionflower (Passiflora spp.) such as Purple passionflower (P. incarnata), Yellow passionflower (P. lutea) and Corkystem passionflower (P.

Do birds eat gulf fritillary butterflies?

The larva are poisonous if eaten. Their toxic flesh provides gulf fritillary caterpillars with excellent protection from predators. Birds avoid them.

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 tell the difference between a male and female gulf fritillary?

Identification and Comparison of the Male and Female Gulf Fritillary. Females are slightly browner, darker and more extensively marked than the male, and generally larger (see image below).

How do you tell fritillaries apart?

Fritillaries can be divided into two groups: greater and lesser. As the names suggest, greater fritillaries are larger, usually with a wingspan between 1.5 and 3 inches, compared to the 1 to 1.5 inch wingspan of lesser fritillaries.

Do gulf fritillaries migrate?

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. ... Starting in late summer and continuing through fall, huge numbers of adults migrate southward into peninsular Florida.

What is the lifespan of a Gulf fritillary?

The newly emerged adult will pump fluid from its abdomen into its wings. The new butterfly lets its wings dry for about ten to fifteen minutes, then takes off in flight. It has a life span of 14 to 27 days. During this short time, adults must locate a mate and the females must lay eggs.

Can you touch gulf fritillary caterpillars?

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.

What does a fritillary caterpillar look like?

Caterpillars are orange to reddish-brown with orange-brown stripes and black spines. The pupa stage is mottled brown and resembles a dead leaf.

What do gulf fritillary butterflies do 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.

How big do gulf fritillary caterpillars get?

Fully grown larvae is about 1-1/2 inches long, gray to brown-black with three pairs of reddish-brown lengthwise stripes. The head and body segments bear have black, branched spines. Another subspecies, Agraulis vanillae nigrior Michener, occurs in the southeast, with darker black markings.

How do I keep caterpillars off my passion vine?

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.