Range:
This species is a resident of the southernmost portion of the U.S., north along
both of the coasts, and south through Mexico. It migrates
north through most of the U.S. during the spring and summer. It has been documented
in two counties of Idaho, Owyhee and Franklin.
Habitat:
It occurs in open, lowland areas characterized by having low vegetation and areas of bare ground.
Diet:
Caterpillar:
Caterpillars feed on the leaves of a variety of plants from several families,
including snapdragon (Scrophulariaceae), acanthus (Acanthaceae), plantain (Plantaginaceae),
and vervain (Verbenaceae).
Adult:
Butterflies drink flower nectar, most often from flowers belonging to the
sunflower family (Asteraceae).
Ecology:
There are multiple generations of caterpillars, essentially all year long, in the southernmost portion of its range; elsewhere there are two or three. Caterpillars and adults may overwinter in a physiological state called diapause, or they may remain active, depending on the climate of their locality. Adults generally fly from April through October in most of its range, but may fly all year in the south.
Reproduction:
Males perch to wait
for receptive females, and although not truly territorial may actively chase anything
passing by. Females lay eggs singly on the upperside of leaves or on leaf buds
of host plants.
Conservation:
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Global Rank: |
G5; populations are widespread, abundant, and secure. |
Opler, P. A., H. Pavulaan, and R. E. Stanford. 1995. Butterflies of North America. Jamestown, North Dakota, USA: Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center Home Page. http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/distr/lepid/bflyusa/bflyusa.htm (Version 05Nov98).
Opler, P. A. and A. B.Wright. 1999. A Field Guide to the Western Butterflies. Second Edition. Peterson Field Guide Series. Houghton Mifflin Company, New York, New York, USA, 540 pp.
Pyle, R. M. 1981. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Butterflies. Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., New York, New York, USA, 924 pp.
Scott, J. A. 1986. The Butterflies of North America. Stanford University Press, Stanford, California, USA, 583 pp.
Stanford, R. E. and P. A. Opler. 1993. Atlas of Western U.S.A. Butterflies (Including Adjacent Parts of Canada and Mexico). Published by authors, Denver, Colorado, USA, 275 pp.