Gulf Fritillary (Agraulis vanillae) is a medium-large butterfly, with a wingspan of 2.5 to 4 inches. In our local area, it can be seen all year round. Numbers peak in September-October. Host plants are some (but not all) species of Passion Vine (Passiflora); there is no native host plant in California. Caterpillars feed primarily on the leaves of the host plant, but are known to eat flowers on occasion. More than most other butterflies,  adults stay very close to the host plant.

This butterfly is not native to California. Common in Florida and Texas, it was introduced into southern California in the 19th century. It seems to have become established in the Bay Area only in the 1950s.

Not usually seen in the Garden, because we do not have any specimens of its host plant. It was added to the Garden’s species list only in March 2026, when it was seen flying through the Garden. Of all the 42 species recorded in the Garden, this is the one least likely to be seen.

It is found in South America, Central America, the southern half of the US, and also in Hawai’i.

Video caption
For videos, we cannot embed captions like with photographs. Here is the caption for the video below.

Caterpillar shedding its skin before pupating * (The Pupal Twerk!)

The video shows the last stage of a Gulf Fritillary pupa sloughing off its skin. The skin is already bunched up near the top at the beginning of the video. Amazing how athletic the whole routine is.