Family: Nymphalidae, Brush-footed Butterflies view all from this family

Description 2 1/2-2 7/8" (64-73 mm). FW long, narrow. Brilliant red-orange above with a few black spots, black network along HW border, and cluster of tiny white spots near FW costa. Below, FW similar but with bright coral-pink base and metallic silver-white teardrops near tip; HW below dull to rich brown or olive with many silver-white orbs and streaks.

Similar Species Mexican Silverspot is darker, broader with darker pink on FW beneath. Greater fritillaries (Speyeria) are often silver-colored below, but are duller and more black-spotted, with rounder wings; most do not occur with Gulf Fritillary.

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.