Agraulis vanillae (Linnaeus, 1758)

Common Name:
Gulf Fritillary
Synonyms:

Papilio vanillae (Linnaeus, 1758)

Natural History:

This species is common and fly actively in gardens and open woodlands with sun. It is often observed in flowers of Lantana spp. (Verbenaceae).

The caterpillars are brown and with black bristles, can be pests in passionflower plantations (Passifloraceae) (Berti & Cerignoni, 2010).

Distribution:
Argentina; Brasil; México; Paraguay; United States; Uruguay
Feeding Adult:

Adults feed on nectar

Feeding Caterpillars:

Host-plants recorded for this species in Brazil, according to Beccaloni et al. (2008).

Caprifoliaceae: Lonicera caprifolium, Lonicera japônica

Myrtaceae: Eucalyptus grandis

Passifloraceae: Passiflora sp., P. auriculata, P. alata, P. bahiensis, P. capsularis, P. cincinnata, P. clathrata, P. coccinea, P. cornuta, P. deidamioides, P. edulis, P.  ichthyura, P. jileki, P. kermesina, P. mansoi, P. microcarpa, P. miersii, P. morifolia, P. mucronata, P. nítida, P. odontophylla, P. quadrangulares, P. rhamnifolia, P. sidaefolia, P. speciosa, P. suberosa, P. vellozii. Tetrastylis ovalis

Tiliaceae: Corchorus hirsutus

Color:
orange, metallic, black, brown
Habitat:
open, forest edge
Publications:
Berti Filho E., Cerignoni J.A. (2010):
Borboletas. Book., Piracicaba, FEALQ: 1-94
Beccaloni G.W, Viloria A.L., Hall S.K., Robinson G.S. (2008):
Catalogue of the hostplants of the Neotropical butterflies. Book., London, S.E.A., Ribes, CYTED, Natural History Museum, IVIC: 1-536
agraulis vanillae_maculosa?
Photo: Kelve F. Souza Cezar
agraulis vanillae nature

Bosque da Ciência/INPA, Manaus, Amazonas

Photo: Kelve Franclymara S. Cezar

agraulis vanillae dorsal

From dorsal

Specimen deposited in the Collection of Invertebrates INPA, Amazonas

agraulis vanillae ventral

From ventral

Specimen deposited in the Collection of Invertebrates INPA, Amazonas