Agraulis Vanillae by TwoPynts

Photography • Macro • posted on Oct 10, 2006

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Description

"Both the grand and the intimate aspects of nature can be revealed in the expressive photograph. Both can stir enduring affirmations and discoveries, and can surely help the spectator in his search for identification with the vast world of natural beauty and the wonder surrounding him" ~ Ansel Adams

For zoren, who likes to get up close to his insects. ;') Here we have a Gulf Fritillary butty that my family also cared for from the cocoon stage. They are a common Florida butty and the spiky caterpillars (seen in some of my previous images) love many of the plants and vines in my garden. Let's just say I gave up on growing passion flower vines. This one (female I think) was released the day it emerged from its cocoon. This photo was taken in our garden as the Fritillary was getting its bearings. It is really interesting to see them go into chrysalis and shed all of their spikes. I highly recommend observing this transformation if you ever have the opportunity. ----- Species Agraulis vanillae - Gulf Fritillary Identification From below, the elongated silvery spots on the butterfly's hind wings and the edge of its forewings are unmistakable. From above, bright orange with black markings around the border and three black-rimmed white spots on each forewing. Larvae are generally orange with black branched spines and greenish-black stripes. There is a larval variant with purple/lavender stripes, seen mostly in Texas. Eggs are yellow, laid singly on leaves of host plants. Range Mainly southern US, but strays northwards. Food Larvae feed on various species of Passion Flower (Passiflora) You can follow the lifecycle of this butterfly HERE. ----- Thank you for your thoughtful comments on my last upload, Orchid & Friend. I know it was hard to tell, but that creature on the orchid was some sort of tiny fly, not a spider.

----- Olympus C8080WZ & PhotoshopCS. (740) Sponsored by: Kramer Kreations

Comments (27)

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Zacko

12:57PM | Tue, 10 October 2006

ARE YOU KIDDING ME????? WOW!!! This shot is soooo damn cool!!!! And so beautiful as well. And knowing it wasnt taken with a hightech macro-lens and extension tubes, make it so much more impressive. Good grief Kort!!!! WICKED!!!!! Are those drop on the leaf? GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!

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marybelgium

1:10PM | Tue, 10 October 2006

another great one !!! absolutely beautiful !

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killerpumpkins

1:11PM | Tue, 10 October 2006

Definitely a beaut! Great composition. KP

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Digimon

1:12PM | Tue, 10 October 2006

This is a very cool shot!! This chap has some wonderful paint job!! Like some slick motorcycle jump suit!! The colors are trick!! Excelelnt macro Kort!!

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st_fish

1:18PM | Tue, 10 October 2006

Stunning capture - so crisp and colourful!! Well done! 8:-)

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goodoleboy

2:02PM | Tue, 10 October 2006

Wow, what a fabulous macro of that fantastic butty! You are so lucky to have this varied wildlife in your area. To be truthful, when the image first came up I thought it was the back of a black wrought iron chair, LOL! And then I saw the thorax, head and legs. Amazing. LOL, again! Wonderful contrast of the creature against the soft background.

Valerie-Ducom

2:08PM | Tue, 10 October 2006

OMG!!!! Fantastic macro and very nice color and contrast!!! I like very much this butterfly!!! I'm sure Zoren like this one too!!! Good day and hugs ;)

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