Gulf Fritillary is one of our most spectacular butterflies. The undersides are brownish with yellowish streaks and many large silvery-white spots. The forewings are elongate, showing its affinities with the tropical longwings (Heliconiinae).

Near Florida City, Miami-Dade Co., FL 6/28/2010.

This worn one was unexpected this late in the season and this far north.

Raulston Arboretum, Raleigh, NC 11/23/2011.

Fresh Gulf Frits are brilliant orange above. In North Carolina, they are fairly common along the southeastern coast in fall and also found in the southwestern mountains; rare elsewhere.

New Hanover Co., NC 8/30/08.

The body is striped with reddish-orange and white. The eyes are amber colored.

New Hanover Co., NC 8/30/08.

New Hanover Co., NC 8/30/08.

The glowing orange color above is indeed as intense as it appears in this photo.

Mecklenburg Co., NC 10/18/02.

2002 was a banner year for this species in NC, with record high counts being set and broken and wanderers turning up throughout NC and Virginia.

One of 250 seen in New Hanover Co., NC on 10/5/02.

New Hanover Co., NC 8/24/02.

Gulf Fritillary caterpillars feed on various species of passionflower (Passiflora). There are actually two caterpillars in the photo at left — look closely!

Boca Raton, Palm Beach Co., FL 6/28/2010.

Boca Raton, Palm Beach Co., FL 6/28/2010.