There have been a ton of Gulf Fritillary Agraulis vanillae) butterflies and caterpillars in our yard this year, no doubt attracted to the abundance of maypop vines (Passiflora incarnata) we have growing throughout the garden. They are really lovely butterflies, and the caterpillars are fascinating to watch. Here are some photos:
I love the little ant checking out the caterpillar's leg.
While they look spiky, the gulf fritillary caterpillars are not a stinging kind of caterpillar.
Psuedo-feet!
One of the caterpillars formed its chrysalis from one of our opuntia's pads.
A beautiful adult gulf fritillary butterfly.
Look at that eye! Also check out the proboscis, it is easy to see how it is actually two merged mouth parts in this photo.
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