Gulf Fritillary - North American Butterfly Association

Gulf Fritillary
on Bluecrown Passionflower (Passiflora caerulea)
(passionflower family) in Harris County, Texas
by Don Dubois
Bluecrown Passionflower is a South American
vine that is often sold through the nursery
trade. In the Houston, Texas area it is
evergreen, and thus serves as a caterpillar
foodplant for Gulf Fritillaries during the
winter months, when the native passionflowers
are dormant. It is a fast grower and can
reach 30 feet in height if given support. It is
reported to be hardy to zone 7.
Blucrown Passionflower is not native to
the United States, however, it has become
naturalized in parts of California, Texas,
Louisiana and Florida.
46 American Butterflies, Fall/Winter 2012
Below: Approximate range of Gulf
Fritillary (from A Swift Guide to
Butterflies of North America).
Cherry-colored circles indicate
that strays have occurred
in these areas.
Opposite page top:
Bluecrown Passionflower
in the author’s garden.
Opposite page bottom: A Gulf
Fritillary egg on the Bluecrown
Passionflower. Nov. 2, 2012.
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Top: Gulf Fritillary caterpillar on Bluecrown Passionflower in the author’s garden.
Nov. 7, 2012.
2nd from top: The same caterpillar on Nov. 9, 2012.
3rd from top: The same caterpillar on Nov. 21, 2012.
Bottom: The same caterpillar on Nov. 30, 2012.
48 American Butterflies, Fall/Winter 2012
Top left: The same caterpillar beginning to pupate on Dec. 1, 2012.
Top right: The chrysalis on Dec. 2, 2012.
Bottom: The adult Gulf Fritillary emerged on Jan. 1, 2013.
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