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. There is no native host plant in California; host plants are various species of Passion Vine (Passiflora). Caterpillars feed primarily on the leaves of the host plant, but are known to eat flowers on occasion. Adult butterflies use nectar from many flowers, including Lantana and Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia). More than most other butterflies,  adults stay very close to the host plants.

This butterfly is a relative newcomer to the Bay Area. 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.

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.