Range:
This species ranges from southern British Columbia south to southern California
and Mexico, extending east as far as North Dakota south to New Mexico and Texas.
It occurs through most of Idaho.
Habitat:
It can be found in a variety of open areas, including fields, gardens, vacant
lots, and other disturbed areas.
Diet:
Caterpillar:
Caterpillars feed on the leaves of many species of mallows (Family Malvaceae).
Adult:
Butterflies drink flower nectar.
Ecology:
Caterpillars live in silk nests among the leaves of host plants. The
number of generations of caterpillars each year varies regionally, with two
in the Rockies, one at the highest elevations, and many occurring all year in
parts of California and the southwest. Adults generally fly from early spring until fall through
most of its range. Butterflies commonly overwinter in a physiological state
called diapause, although caterpillars
and pupae have been
reported to overwinter, as well.
Reproduction:
Males perch to
wait for receptive females. Eggs are laid singly on the uppersides of leaves
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.