Skip to main content
Today is National Trails Day!
Close

Gulf fritillary caterpillar

Agraulis vanillae

Photo by KarenL
Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

35.8987, -86.9624

Field Notes

Description:

I 1/2" long orange & black striped caterpillar with branched spines.

Notes:

This is far more striped than the caterpillar I spotted earlier this year http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/7283870 - maybe a different instar?

Reference Links:

Gulf Fritillary

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (7)
KarenL
Thanks Courtney! Me too!
courtneyhitson
Wow! Nice find!! I'm glad the spines aren't what they appear!!
KarenL
Thanks chebeagueschool! The spines are actually quite soft & don't hurt at all. I think some of the hairy caterpillars can irritate the skin though.
Carol Snow Milne
WOW! Great photos. And you solved a mystery for me. I think one of my caterpillars that looks so similar is a type of fritillary too! We got a lot of meadow fritillary butterflies this summer.Thanks for ALL your help!

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Butterflies & Moths of the World
Mission
Caterpillars and larvae of the World
Mission
Wildlife of Goose Creek
Mission
Backyard Habitats of the World
Mission
Butterflies and Moths of Southeast USA

Tags

Photographed
PublishedNovember 2, 2011

Community Sponsor

Butterfly
Become a Community Sponsor and Help Grow our Global Movement!

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Butterflies icon
Become a Community Sponsor

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon

Nature & Conservation Organizations

Brands & Mission-Focused Companies