Scientific Name: Agraulis vanillae incarnate
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Diet: As caterpillars they feed only on passion vines.
Vegetation Association: Ornamental native passion vines are host plants. Females oviposit on related plants (e.g. passion vines).  
Predators:  Both caterpillars and butterflies are poisonous and are avoided by most birds.
Life Stages: Complete metamorphosis; egg, larva, pupa, adult. 
Notes: Young caterpillars feed and shed their skin, or molt. The final molt produces the pupa, and then the butterfly rests.  Once free of the chrysalis, fluid from its body is pumped into its wings, the wings then are allowed to dry before it flies away to look for food and a mate.

Photo: Photo taken at Scottsdale Community College on November 19, 2006. 

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