Taxonomy: Agraulis vanillae (or Dione vanillae, according to other taxonomic classifications) is a species with relatively large bright orange wings, belonging to the family Nymphalidae and the subfamily Heliconiinae.
Adult description: A. vanillae in its adult stage is a large butterfly with a wingspan ranging from 6 to 9.5 cm, bright orange in color with black stripes crossing the upper surface. The underside of the wings is beige or brown with large silvery-white spots (hence its common name “mirror butterfly”). This species exhibits sexual dimorphism, as females are typically noticeably larger than males. In addition to size differences, females are usually darker in coloration and more heavily marked with black stripes than males. Adults feed on nectar from many flowers and may also visit hummingbird feeders.
Caterpillar description: The caterpillar reaches approximately 4 cm in length. It is bright orange with rows of black spines. They are herbivorous and, when feeding on passionflower plants, secrete compounds derived from their diet that provide defense. For this reason, they should be handled with care, although they are not dangerous if touched cautiously.
Chrysalis: The chrysalis measures about 3 cm and resembles a dry leaf, allowing it to blend into its surroundings.
Geographic distribution: Its distribution range extends from the southern tip of South America (Argentina and Chile), through Central America, Mexico, the Caribbean, and the southern United States, up to the northern area of San Francisco Bay.
Defense and behavior: Both sexes possess defensive glands in the abdomen that function as a chemical defense mechanism against predators, especially birds. When they detect danger or are suddenly disturbed, these glands emit a distinctive odor. The released chemical compounds cause birds to avoid feeding on A. vanillae. In some cases, this species may also compete and even engage in conflicts with other butterfly species.
Author of this compilation: Manuel Godoy – 02/20/2026