Photo Credit: Calibas via Wikimedia Commons. Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en.
Agraulis vanillae
Common Name: gulf fritillary
Animal Guild: Insect
Class > Order > Family: Insecta > Lepidoptera > Nymphalidae
Where is the species found?
States & Provinces
AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, HI, KS, KY, LA, MO, MS, NC, NM, OK, SC, TN, TX
Which phenophases should I observe?
Do you see/hear...?
Activity Adults
One or more adults are seen or heard moving about or at rest.
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For abundance, enter the number of individual animals observed in this phenophase.
Adults feeding
One or more adults are seen feeding with their straw-like tongue (proboscis). If possible, record the substance and species on which they are feeding (for example, nectar, sap, dung, or moist soil) in the comments field. For Agraulis vanillae, adults feed on the flower nectar of many different plant species.

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Flower visitation
One or more individuals are seen visiting flowers or flying from flower to flower. If possible, record the name of the plant or describe it in the comments field.

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Migrating adults
Multiple adults of the same species are seen flying steadily in a uniform direction without stopping.
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Reproduction Mating
A male and female are seen coupled in a mating position, usually end to end. This can occur at rest or in flight.

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Egg laying
A female is seen laying eggs on a plant or other surface. If possible, record the name of the plant or describe it in the comments field. For Agraulis vanillae, eggs are typically deposited on passion vine plants.

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Eggs
One or more eggs are seen on a plant or other surface. If possible, record the name of the plant or describe it in the comments field. For Agraulis vanillae, the tiny, ribbed, dome-shaped eggs are initially yellow, becoming orange-brown as they develop, and are typically found on the leaves, stems or tendrils of passion vine plants.

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Development Caterpillars
One or more caterpillars (larvae) are seen moving about or at rest. When seen on a plant, if possible, record the name of the plant or describe it in the comments field. For Agraulis vanillae, caterpillars are orange and covered with black, branched spines. Some caterpillars also have greenish-black or black-purple lateral stripes along their body.

For abundance, enter the number of individual animals observed in this phenophase.
Caterpillars feeding
One or more caterpillars are seen feeding. If possible, record the name of the species or substance being eaten or describe it in the comments field. For Agraulis vanillae, caterpillars typically feed on passion vine plants.

For abundance, enter the number of individual animals observed in this phenophase.
Pupae
One or more pupae are seen in a cocoon or shell (puparium). For Agraulis vanillae, pupae are mottled brown or gray, resembling a dead leaf, and hang from plants or other outdoor surfaces. Do not include empty pupal shells after the adult has emerged from them.

For abundance, enter the number of individual animals observed in this phenophase.
Dead adults
One or more dead adults are seen.

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Dead caterpillars
One or more dead caterpillars are seen.

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Method Individuals at a feeding station
One or more individuals are seen visiting a feeder, feeding station, or food placed by a person.

For abundance, enter the number of individual animals observed in this phenophase.
Individuals in a net
One or more individuals are seen caught in a net.

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Individuals in a trap
One or more individuals are seen caught in a trap.

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What do these phenophases look like?

There is currently no photoguide available for this species. If you'd like help us create one, use the guidance document and species template provided here. Then send it via email to education@usanpn.org when it is complete.