Hi, I'm new here and am making my first attempt at raising butterflies after finding Variegated Fritillary cats on my pansies here in Colorado. Is there a way to identify the diffence between male and female butterflies? I have my first chrysalis (I'm so excited!) and am wondering if I will be able to tell if it is male or female after it hatches. I have been searching the web but so far have not been able to find that info. I have found so much great information here on this site - THANK YOU!
--Karen Martin
Tell Difference between male & female Variegated Fritillary?
Good question, Karen!
Many butterflies are very hard to tell the gender by sight. Sorry I can't answer your question on this particular butterfly. Hopefully someone else here can.
Karen,
Don't believe that there is a field mark difference, at least none specified in any of the books at my disposal. About the only hope you have is to watch for one laying eggs. My wife can tell the difference between male and female on any butterfly by a quick glance at the end of their abdomen. I believe the male has claspers, to hold the female during mating. I haven't mastered that tecnique.
Rod
Wow Rod I wish I had your wife's knowledge. I would love to be able to tell which is which. I have no clue on any of the different BF's but I don't usually get a close enough look either. I do know when I see one laying eggs that it is female but that is as far as it goes.
Leslie
Congrats on raising VFs. They are such beautiful butterflies. Their chrysalis is equially stunning with all those metallic colors!!! Every time I see a chrysalis I feel like I hit the jackpot :o)
Out here they use native green violet (hybanthus verticillatus).
There seems to be a slight color difference as far as the ventral view goes. Am assuming this would be hard to see out in the field if you don't have another butterfly to compare. Age and worn/faded wings would also make it confusing.
Here's a photo of a mating pair of VFs.
~ Cat
This message was edited Sep 3, 2007 9:29 PM
Thank you for the responses. I guess I'll try to notice any difference in there adomens after they emerge. I have 5 more cats that are getting fat and will "do the J" soon. The one chrysalis I do have IS gorgeous!
Regards, Karen Martin