GULF FRITILLARY
The Gulf fritillary is a bright orange butterfly with silver spots on its underwings, often seen fluttering through coastal gardens and fields. Its caterpillars feed on passionflower vines, storing toxic compounds that make them distasteful to predators. Adults are important pollinators, visiting lantana, zinnias, and other nectar-rich flowers. Their striking colors and graceful flight have made them a familiar and beloved sight across the Southeast’ s warm climates.
PHOTOGRAPH BY FREDDIE WEINER