Gulf Fritillary Butterfly Agraulis vanillae

The Gulf Fritillary Butterfly is native to the southern USA through to the northern half of South America. It is not related to the true "fritillaries" but to the "heliconians" or Longwings. In the Caribbean it is called the Silver-spotted Flambeau due to its resemblance to the orange Julia Flambeau butterfly.

The bright orange topside with black markings: male and female have a similar appearance.

The unexpected, sharply-defined, speckled underside - unusual for a Longwing.