• Caterpillars: Feed primarily on passion-vines (Passiflora), but also use plants in the morning-glory family (Convolvulaceae).

• Adults: Nectar from flowers such as Lantana, Stachytarpheta, and Turnera. They may also occasionally take nutrients from dung.

Range

• The Mexican Fritillary occurs from Mexico through Central America and the Caribbean to northern and central South America, reaching Argentina. It is also occasionally encountered in the southern United States.

• Guerrero is within its established range, and it occurs in suitable habitats along Mexico's Pacific coast. It is occasionally sighted in the Zihua area, particularly where passion-vines and other larval food plants grow.

Habitat

• Prefers sunny, open environments, including fields, pastures, roadsides, scrub, forest clearings, and disturbed vegetation.

• It is particularly associated with warm lowland and foothill environments where Passiflora, Turnera, and other host plants are available.

Description

• A medium-sized orange-and-black fritillary with a wingspan of approximately 65–75 mm.

• The upper surface is predominantly bright orange, with black markings concentrated along the outer margins and in bands or spots on the forewings.

• A useful identification feature is the relatively unmarked orange basal portion of the hindwing. Unlike some other Euptoieta, the hindwing does not have a strongly contrasting pattern across the discal area.

• The underside is generally orange-brown with darker markings, rather than showing the prominent silvery spots characteristic of many other fritillaries.

• The forewing is somewhat pointed, and the hindwing has a smoothly rounded margin.

• Caterpillars are strikingly marked, with a predominantly reddish body, pale or silvery markings, and numerous black spines.