Gulf Fritillaries are Some Really Colorful Butterflies
Flitting Fritillary
A short time ago I showed everyone the spiky orange caterpillar of the gulf fritillary butterfly (Agraulis vanillae), so I thought I should show you the beautiful butterflies that they become. Like most other brushfooted butterflies, it’s brightly colored with oranges, yellows, and brown, it has far more bright orange than most of the others. They are pretty common throughout…
Texas is home to a diverse array of caterpillars, each with its own unique appearance and ecological role. Whether you're a budding entomologist, a curious gardener, or simply a nature enthusiast, this guide will help you identify ten common caterpillar species found in Texas. Let's dive in!
1. Monarch Caterpillar (Danaus plexippus)
Identification: Striking black, white, and yellow stripes. Host Plant: Milkweed. Notes: This iconic caterpillar transforms into the well-known monarch butterfly, a key species for pollination.
Identification: Bright orange with black spines. Host Plant: Passionflower vines. Notes: Known for their vibrant color, these caterpillars are often found munching on passionflower leaves.
[ID: A close up photo of a gulf fritillary caterpillar on a purple passionflower leaf. The caterpillar is orange, with thin, black, barbed spikes along its body. The leaf is green, with yellow veins and softly serrated edges, and three main lobes. The caterpillars is sitting one one of the lobes, and is the same length as it. More plants are visible in the background. End ID.]
They grow up so fast.
Now hurry up and become a chrysalis because 10+ more eggs are about to hatch and there isn't going to be enough passionflower to go around
When we run out we're going to have to carry all of the caterpillars out of the yard to where the yellow passion flower is growing wild and next to the one sidewalk. The one that was growing on the hedge is also out of leaves.
Good thing I put some seedlings in the ground, hopefully they’ll grow fast next year so this doesn’t happen again. These butterflies are too ambitious.
A Beautiful Butterfly is a Nice Break From Birds shows a colorful gulf fritillary butterfly that distracted the author/artist for a few minutes while she was out birding. It features her favorite image of several she shot of that butterfly before it left.
Gulf Fritillary-Up Close
While I absolutely love birds, and I went to Cedar Key on Monday specifically to see birds, I never mind a short distraction by a gorgeous butterfly. At one point while I was watching the flamingos, but not taking any photos, this little gulf fritillary (Agraulis vanillae) came fluttering by. In fact, it flew right in front of my binoculars as if it was just begging for…