Gulf Fritillary (LEP116) Dione vanillae

 

     This longwing is considered a fritillary because as with most butterflies it has brilliant metallic silver spots beneath.  On the hindwing and the tip of the forewing, these spots are set in a field of olive-gold.  The rest of the forewing changes to crimson-pink.  It is common across the South and all around the Gulf of Mexico.  It prefers flowers of the beggar=s tick and lantana, and the caterpillars feed on passion vine.