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| Text and photos copyright 2002, 2005, 2006 Louis Maienza, Jr. All rights reserved. |
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| The Gulf Fritillary is a beautiful orange tropical butterfly with an unusual northern range. It migrates north during the summer. Seen year round in central and south Florida. |
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| This Gulf Fritillary egg is almost ready to hatch. Note the white band that is developing near the top of the egg case. Zebra Longwing eggs laid on the same plants do not develop a white stripe. This egg is on passiflora suberosa, corky passion vine found wild in Florida. |
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| Gulf Frittillary larvae are a beautiful orange with black branching spines. This one is dining on passiflora suberosa. |
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| Development of the Gulf Fritillary chrysalis. These four photos give a time-lapse view of the progress. |
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| 1. The larva is hanging in the familiar J position shortly before the skin splits open. |
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| 2. The skin has split at the head and the larva begins a series of gyrations to free from the old skin. |
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| 3. The larva is almost free from the old skin. |
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| 4. Free at last! The soft chrysalis mass will, over the next several hours, harden and turn woody brown. |
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| The Gulf Frittillary chrysalis. For the next 12-14 days it will hang as the butterfly develops. It may do a "swing" motion back and forth during this time. |
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| The adult, having emerged from the chrysalis after about 12-14 days, pumps up its wings. Soon, when the wings have dried, the adult will fly away in search of nectar and a mate. |
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| The Wonders of Butterflies video. Learn about their seldom seen world in this butterfly video. |
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