Fauna
Insect

Gulf Fritillary

Dione vanillae

Also known as Passion Butterfly

Gulf fritillaries are striking orange butterflies known for the bright silver spots decorating the undersides of their wings. Their caterpillars feed almost exclusively on passionvines, sequestering toxic chemical compounds that render both larvae and adults distasteful to predators. Flitting through sunny gardens, fields, and forest edges, adults spend warm days sipping nectar from a wide variety of flowers.

PollinatorColorfulMigratory
Gulf Fritillary reference1 / 7
(c) Leonel Roget, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Leonel Roget · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyPassionvine leaves, Flower nectar
Predators
  • Birds
  • Lizards
  • Spiders
ThreatsPesticide application, loss of host plants, severe winter freezes
HabitatsSubtropical gardens, parks, open fields, coastal scrub, forest edges
Life span2–4 weeks as adults
Classification
  1. OrderLepidoptera
  2. FamilyNymphalidae
  3. GenusDione
  4. SpeciesDione vanillae
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Plant Passionvines: Grow native Passiflora species to attract egg-laying females to your yard.
  • Avoid Chemical Sprays: Keep host and nectar plants pesticide-free to support fragile caterpillars.
  • Spot Basking Adults: Look on sunny afternoons for butterflies resting with wings spread open.
Related species
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Mystic Meadows

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