Gulf Fritillary
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220958756
2008-06-22T11:54:21Z
Allioupe
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/* Gallery */
{{Taxobox
| name = Gulf Fritillary
| status = LC
| status_system = iucn3.1
| status_ref =
| image = Gulf fritillary.jpg
| image_width = 250px
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
| phylum = [[Arthropod]]a
| classis = [[Insect]]a
| ordo = [[Lepidoptera]]
| unranked_familia = [[Rhopalocera]]
| familia = [[Nymphalidae]]
| subfamilia = [[Heliconiinae]]
| tribus = [[Heliconiini]]
| subtribus = [[Heliconiiti]]
| genus = ''[[Agraulis]]''
| species = '''''A. vanillae'''''
| binomial = ''Agraulis vanillae''
| binomial_authority = ([[Carolus Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], [[1758]])
}}
The '''Gulf Fritillary''', '''''Agraulis vanillae''''', a striking, bright orange [[butterfly]] of the family [[Nymphalidae]], subfamily [[Heliconiinae]]. These were formerly classified in a separate family, the Heliconiidae or longwing butterflies, and like other longwings this species does have long, rather narrow wings in comparison with other butterflies. It is not closely related to the true fritillaries. It is a medium to large butterfly, with a wingspan of from 6 to {{nowrap|9.5 cm}}. Its underwings are buff, with large silvery spots. It takes its name from the fact that migrating flights of the butterflies are sometimes seen over the [[Gulf of Mexico]].
The Gulf Fritillary is commonly seen in parks and gardens, as well as in open country. Its range extends from [[Argentina]] through [[Central America]], [[Mexico]], and the [[West Indies]] to the southern [[United States]], as far north as the [[San Francisco Bay Area]] on the west coast. It is occasionally found further north in the US.
== Larva ==
[[Image:Chrysalis5504.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Chrysalis of Gulf Fritillary]]
The [[larva]] or [[caterpillar]] of the gulf fritillary grows to approximately {{nowrap|4 cm}} in length and is bright orange in color and covered in rows of black spines on its head and back. The spines are soft to the touch and do not sting. However, the larva are poisonous if eaten, as the bright coloration advertises. The larva feed exclusively on various species of [[passionflower]] such as [[maypop]] (''Passiflora incarnata''), the [[yellow passionflower]] (''P. lutea'') and [[running pop]] (''P. foetida'').
Their toxic flesh provides gulf fritillary caterpillars with excellent protection from predators. Many birds avoid them (Pinheiro 1996). Some specialized insects have been observed feeding on them, however, and larger caterpillars sometimes eat smaller ones. This species belongs to the "orange" Batesian [[mimicry]] complex.
The chrysalis is approximately {{nowrap|3 cm}} long; it is mottled brown and looks like a dry leaf.
Cultivation of passionflowers in gardens has enabled the gulf fritillary to extend its range, for example into new areas of southern and northern [[California]].
==References==
* Pinheiro, Carlos E. G. (1996). Palatablility and escaping ability in Neotropical butterflies: tests with wild kingbirds (''Tyrannus melancholicus'', Tyrannidae). ''[[Biological Journal of the Linnean Society|Biol. J. Linn. Soc.]]'' '''59'''(4): 351–365. [http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/ap/bj/1996/00000059/00000004/art00069 HTML abstract]
* Rauser, C. L., & Rutowski, R. L. (2003). Male-specific structures on the wings of the gulf fritillary butterfly, Agraulis ''vanillae'' (Nymphalidae). ''Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society, 57''(4), 279-283.
* Ross, G. N., Fales, H. M., Lloyd, H. A., Jones, T., Sokoloski, E. A., Marshall, B. K., et al. (2001). Novel chemistry of abdominal defensive glands of nymphalid butterfly ''Agraulis vanillae''. ''Journal of Chemical Ecology, 27''(6), 1219-1228.
* Whan, P. W., & Belth, J. E. (1992). Second Ohio record of ''Agraulis vanillae'' (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae). ''Ohio Journal of Science, 92''(4), 121-122.
==External links==
[[Image:Agraulis vanillae incarnata.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Side view]]
*[http://www.cirrusimage.com/butterfly_gulffrit.htm Gulf Fritillary Butterfly: Large format reference quality (free) photographs] Cirrus Digital Imaging
* [http://goodbugpage.com/gulf_fritillary1.htm Life Story of the Gulf Fritillary]
==Gallery==
<gallery>
Image:Gulf Fritillary Butterfly on a Lantana 18.jpg|Feeding from a [[Lantana]]
Image:Gulf Fritillary.JPG|Bottom view
Image:Gulf Fritillary Larva(3).jpg|Caterpillar
</gallery>
{{commons|Agraulis vanillae}}
[[Category:Heliconiinae]]
[[Category:Butterflies and moths of North America]]
[[Category:Insects of South America]]
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