Gulf Fritillary (Dione incarnata, Agraulis vanillae)

In NC, this is mostly a Southern migrant species appearing mid-summer and after (although sporadic records occur starting in early May). It can be very common along the southeastern coast, but it generally becomes uncommon to very rare as you go northward and westward throughout the state.

This butterfly was formerly called Agraulis vanillae until recent taxonomic work indicated it should be placed in the genus Dione and that the population found in the US is a different species. Genomics evidence also indicates the southeastern US / Caribbean population is distinct from the southwestern US / Mexican population.

Gulf Fritillary (Dione incarnata nigrior)
Brunswick Co., NC
24 Nov 2007

Gulf Fritillary (Dione incarnata incarnata)
Patagonia, Santa Cruz Co., AZ
27 July 2017

Gulf Fritillary (Dione incarnata incarnata)
Santa Cruz Co., AZ
6 Nov 2024


Gulf Fritillary (Dione incarnata incarnata) Patagonia, Santa Cruz Co., AZ 6 Nov 2024	Gulf Fritillary (Dione incarnata incarnata) National Butterfly Center, Hidalgo Co., TX 1 May 2018

Southeastern US subspecies below:

Gulf Fritillary (Dione incarnata nigrior)
Nectaring on Lantana
Pender Co., NC
28 August 2004

Gulf Fritillary (Dione incarnata nigrior)
Collier Co., FL
23 Dec 2013

Note the early morning dew covering the under-hindwing of this butterfly (close-up of above photo).


Gulf Fritillary (Dione incarnata nigrior) New Hanover Co., NC 27 Aug 2005	Gulf Fritillary (Dione incarnata nigrior) Brunswick Co., NC 29 Oct 2006

	Gulf Fritillary (Dione incarnata nigrior) Brunswick Co., NC 29 Oct 2006
	Gulf Fritillary (Dione incarnata nigrior) Brunswick Co., NC 29 Oct 2006

Gulf Fritillary (Dione incarnata nigrior)
Sandhills Game Lands, Richmond Co., NC
8 Aug 2016


Gulf Fritillary (Dione incarnata) San Luis Obispo Co., CA 8 July 2007	Gulf Fritillary (Dione incarnata nigrior) Brunswick Co., NC 24 Nov 2007

Gulf Fritillary (Dione incarnata)
Mt. Mitchell State Park, Yancey Co., NC
13 Sep 2008


Gulf Fritillary (Dione incarnata nigrior) Bogue Banks, Carteret Co., NC 27 Oct 2017	Gulf Fritillary (Dione incarnata nigrior) Holly Shelter, Pender Co., NC 11 Sep 2016

Gulf Fritillary (Dione incarnata nigrior)
Holly Shelter, Pender Co., NC
11 Sep 2016

Gulf Fritillary (Dione incarnata nigrior)
Holly Shelter, Pender Co., NC
11 Sep 2016

Gulf Fritillary (Dione incarnata nigrior)
Ft. Fisher, New Hanover Co., NC
10 Sep 2016

Gulf Fritillary (Dione incarnata nigrior)
New Hanover Co., NC
16 Oct 2011

Gulf Fritillary (Dione incarnata nigrior)
Pea Island, Dare Co., NC
4 Sep 2023

Nectaring on Diodia virginiana

Gulf Fritillary (Dione incarnata nigrior)
Cape Hatteras, Dare Co., NC
19 Oct 2023

Gulf Fritillary (Dione incarnata nigrior)
Manteo, Dare Co., NC
18 Sep 2024

Gulf Fritillary (Dione incarnata nigrior)
Ten Thousand Islands NWR, Collier Co., FL
4 Feb 2015


Gulf Fritillary (Dione incarnata nigrior) Ten Thousand Islands NWR, Collier Co., FL 4 Feb 2015	Gulf Fritillary (Dione incarnata nigrior) Eagle Lakes Park, Collier Co., FL 2 Feb 2016


Gulf Fritillary (Dione incarnata nigrior) Big Cypress, Collier Co., FL 4 Mar 2017	Gulf Fritillary (Dione incarnata nigrior) Big Cypress, Collier Co., FL 4 Mar 2017

Gulf Fritillary (Dione incarnata nigrior)
Ten Thousand Islands NWR, Collier Co., FL
15 May 2018

Gulf Fritillary (Dione incarnata nigrior)
Ten Thousand Islands NWR, Collier Co., FL
15 May 2018


Gulf Fritillary (Dione incarnata nigrior) Big Cypress, Collier Co., FL 4 Mar 2017	Gulf Fritillary (Dione incarnata nigrior) Big Cypress, Collier Co., FL 4 Mar 2017

Gulf Fritillary (Dione incarnata nigrior)
Naples, Collier Co., FL
27 Sep 2016

Gulf Fritillary (Dione incarnata nigrior)
Collier-Seminole S.P., Collier Co., FL
26 Dec 2012


Gulf Fritillary (Dione incarnata nigrior) Big Cypress, Collier Co., FL 4 Mar 2017

Gulf Fritillary (Dione incarnata nigrior)
Brunswick Co., NC
4 Oct 2008

Nectaring on Blazing Star.

Gulf Fritillary (Dione incarnata nigrior)
Nectaring on Lantana
Pender Co., NC
28 August 2004

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Created on ... September 3, 2004 | jeffpippen9@gmail.com