Range:
It ranges from southern Alberta south through the intermountain west down to
Arizona and New Mexico, and east to portions of the Dakotas and Nebraska. In
Idaho it can be found in the central and
southern portions of the state.
Habitat:
These butterflies are found along streams, in woodlands, in
aspen groves, on mountainsides, in canyons, and in town.
Diet:
Caterpillar:
Caterpillars eat the leaves of willows (Salix spp.), cottonwoods and
poplars (Populus spp.), ocean-spray (Holodiscus spp.) and serviceberry
(Amelanchier spp.).
Adult:
Butterflies feed on flower nectar, tree sap, and carrion.
Ecology:
Young caterpillars overwinter in a physiological state called diapause, immerging
in the spring to feed, molt,
and eventually pupate.
A "sleeping bag", called a hibernaculum, is constructed for
overwintering from a rolled leaf tied with silk. In the northern parts of its range
there is typically one generation each year. There may be two in the southern
parts of its range, in which case only the caterpillars of the second generation
overwinter. Adults generally fly
from June to September. They may hybridize with another Limenitis species,
Limenitis lorquini,
where the ranges of the two species overlap. The butterflies actively defend
territories.
Reproduction:
Males generally perch to wait for receptive females and very
seldom patrol.
Females lay eggs singly on the topside of the tips of leaves on 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.