About Dione vanillae (Linnaeus, 1758)
Adult gulf fritillary (Dione vanillae) is a medium-sized butterfly with elongated forewings and a wingspan ranging from 6.5 to 9.5 cm. This species displays sexual dimorphism: females are typically distinctly larger than males. The undersides of their wings are brown and speckled with silvery-white dots. In contrast, the uppersides of their wings are deep orange with black streaks crossing them. Beyond their size difference, females are usually darker in color and have more prominent black streaks than males. Gulf fritillaries are primarily found in the southern regions of the contiguous United States, ranging from Florida and Georgia to Texas and California. Their range can extend from the southern United States into parts of Mexico and Central America, and sometimes reaches as far as parts of South America. They are also found in Hawaii. Gulf fritillaries live in open habitats, including moderately sunny areas near open grasslands, parks, and woodlands. They are also commonly spotted in local butterfly gardens across the United States.
