Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

  Sighting 1394102

Gulf Fritillary
Agraulis vanillae

Observation date: September 12, 2024
Submitted by: Der Bogen
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: Unusual siting - one adult had recently emerged from chrysalis (center), probably on right, joined by second in what appears to be mating alignment. Adult on left was nonresponsive, and may have expired - an hour later, only one was at this location, then flew off, and a carcass was found below on the ground. [please edit and add comments]
Status: Resident
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: September 15, 2024
Coordinator notes: Yes, it appears they were mating, maybe it was too much for the one that died. I lived in Stockton from 1965 to 1969, I never saw a Gulf Fritillary there at that time, they have since expanded their range north. And genomics show the Gulf Fritillary is actually Dione incarnata, vanillae is in the Carribean-Ken Davenport