Gulf Fritillary
How did they get their name?
*The common name comes from a Latin word, fritillus, which means chessboard or dice box. Fritillary is also the name of a flower with an interesting checkered pattern; it is obvious that both the flower and the butterfly get their common name because of such pattern. Another name for these handsome butterflies is silverspots because of the metallic markings on their wings undersides. It is possible that this pattern, similar to a leopard’s spots, serves as camouflage when they are resting in places of dappled sun and shade spots.
Here at the garden, Gulf Fritillaries are abundant in the warm weather and we’ve raised hundreds of them. They like to bop the other butterfly species off of their nectar sources when they’re pollinating and eating.
*source: USDA - US Forest Service
