Saw and photographed this colourful and lovely looking butterfly the other day
This is a Gulf Fritillary and it is one of the most frequently seen butterflies in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Not only is it beautiful with its rich orange with black markings but on the underside, it is even more spectacular.
Intricate patterns on the underside of the butterfly's wings.
This butterfly is also known as the Passion butterfly as the caterpillars feed on the many passionflower vines found here in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The side view shows the patterned wing which has silvery spots.
Colourful head markings on a Gult Fritillary
Close up of the beautiful markings found on the underside of the Gulf Fritillary Butterfly
We encourage you to keep your eyes open so that you can spot these butterflies as you travel about our islands. The Turks and Caicos has some 40 species of butterflies that have been recorded.
Look out for those butterflies!!
Marta