Gulf Fritillary (Agraulis vanillae)
West Palm Beach, FL
2015-10-11
Gulf Fritillary is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae. Like many other Nymphalidae butterflies, it has four legs, having a pair of forelegs reduced. Its entire body is orange with black lining and white markings.
GA-FL border
2015-07-12
The bright coloring of Gulf Fritillary is a warning signal for its predators (aposematism). The butterfly secretes toxic substances from its abdominal glands. The coloring is similar with other toxic species (Müllerian mimicry).
Other Nymphalidae species:
Monarch
Danaus plexippus
Mourning Cloak
Nymphalis antiopa
Red Admiral
Vanessa atalanta
Eastern Comma
Polygonia comma
Pearl Crescent
Phyciodes tharos
Northern Crescent
Phyciodes cocyta
Question Mark
Polygonia interrogationis
Aphrodite Fritillary
Speyeria aphrodite
Common Buckeye
Junonia coenia
White Peacock
Anartia jatrophae
Zebra Heliconian
Heliconius charithonia