Butterflies of the Maypop

The beautiful Maypop flower.

http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2011/020/c/8/maypop_passionflower_by_laemperatrizmacaria-d305b60.jpg

The Maypop (Passiflora incarnata, that I recently wrote about in this post) is the primary host plant for a few butterfly species in North America. Growing up in South Florida, I distinctly remember both the passion flowers (although I still am not sure if they were Passiflora incarnata or other closely related species that need the more tropical weather of southern Florida) and a few of these butterflies. But I did not know how closely their lives intertwined. I am always amazed at the beauty of God's creation as seen in the wide variety of plant and animal species.

Gulf Fritillary (aka Passion Butterfly)
Agraulis vanillae
Uses the Maypop for food (leaves) as a caterpillar and food (nectar) as adults.

Gulf Fritillary (aka Passion Butterfly), Agraulis vanillae, on a Maypop flower.

http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4028/4709046164_a761dc3fdf_z.jpg

http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/butterflies/guide/images/agraulis_vanillae_big.jpg

http://www.jaxshells.org/fritt.jpg

Variegated Fritillary

Eutoieta claudia

Uses the Maypop for food (leaves) as a caterpillar and food (nectar) as adults.

http://www.naba.org/chapters/nabambc/species-data/Euptoieta-claudia-photo-8.jpg

http://wisconsinbutterflies.org/images/species/0000/3136/Variegated_Fritillary.jpg

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tnipLrOS1h8/TfgfY4urZqI/AAAAAAAAHVk/mPDgH2QrV1k/s1600/variegated%2Bfritillary%2Bcaterpillar.jpg

Banded Hairstreak

Satyrium calanus

Uses the Maypop for food (nectar) as an adult.

http://www.owlspleasure.com/photos/banha4.jpg

http://www.buglifecycle.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/hairstreak-caterpillar-1.jpg

Red-Banded Hairstreak

Calycopis cecrops

Uses the Maypop for food (nectar) as an adult.

http://content63.eol.org/content/2011/11/02/10/20544_580_360.jpg

Julia Butterfly (aka Julia Heliconian, The Flame)

Dryas iulia

Uses the Maypop for food (leaves) as a caterpillar.

http://www.learnaboutbutterflies.com/Dryas%20iulia%20group%20071x.jpg

http://www.dallasbutterflies.com/Butterflies/LARVA/pics/iulialarva.jpg

Zebra Heliconian (aka Zebra Longwing)

Heliconius charithonia

Uses the Maypop for food (leaves) as a caterpillar.

The Zebra Heliconian, official butterfly of the state of Florida.

http://www.naba.org/chapters/nabast/ZebraNIBP110506gq.JPG

http://www.dallasbutterflies.com/Butterflies/LARVA/pics/charithoniuslarva.jpg

Mexican Silverspot

Dione moneta

Uses the Maypop for food (leaves) as a caterpillar.

http://neotropicalbutterflies.com/Site%20Revision/Pages/Nymphalidae_Pages/Heliconiinae%20Tribes/Heliconiini_Longwings/Longwing_images/Dione%20moneta%20Mex%20Silverspot%20D%20WGC%20122002%20Novillo%2062c.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/112/308299363_ab9a443656.jpg

http://www.naba.org/chapters/nabast/MSilverspotCat0906MQ.jpg