After the dreary, rainy day we had yesterday, it was a welcome sight to have nothing but sunshine and blue skies today. The beautiful weather also brought out all the Butterflies. It also brought out the “territorialness” in all the male Butterflies. Probably the most aggressive was this male Monarch pictured below. He would rest right above one section of Milkweed and as soon as another Butterfly (Gulf Fritillary, Cloudless Sulphur, Polydamas Swallowtail) would come flying by he would chase them off. When a female Monarch happened to fly by, he would try and mate with her. I’m not sure he ever succeeded on that part (he would chase her, but I never saw them mating).
Male Monarch Patrolling Territory
This Gulf Fritillary was also chasing females. In the picture below, he was resting on the plant that was next to the Passion Vine. Although I didn’t get any pictures of them today, we also have lots of Fritillary caterpillars right now.
Gulf Fritillary Warming Wings
by texdr
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