Limenitis arthemis astyanax

• Overview
• Interesting Facts
• Common Names
• Description
• Biology
• Taxonomy
• Similar Species
• More Info
• Further Reading
• Notes

Overview

Interesting Facts

Common Names

Description

Family Nymphalidae

'The Nymphalidae are members of the Superfamily Papilionoidea, the true butterflies. Distributed worldwide, butterflies of this family are especially rich in the tropics. They are highly variable, and there are more species in this family than in any other. Adults vary in size from small to large, and their front legs are reduced, unable to be used for walking. Wing shape is also highly variable: some species have irregular margins (anglewings and commas), and others have long taillike projections (daggerwings). Browns, oranges, yellows, and blacks are frequent colors, while iridescent colors such as purples and blues are rare. Adults of some groups are the longest-lived butterflies, surviving 6-11 months. Adult feeding behavior depends on the species, where some groups primarily seek flower nectar while others only feed on sap flows , rotting fruit, dung, or animal carcasses. Males exhibit perching and patrolling behaviors when seeking mates. Egg-laying varies widely, as some species lay eggs in clustsers, others in columns, and others singly. Caterpillar appearance and behavior vary widely. Brushfoots overwinter as larvae or adults.

'[1]

Subfamily Limenitidinae

The Limenitidinae are members of the Family Nymphalidae. These admirals and relatives are found on most continents. Adults of most genera are characterized by their flap-and-glide flight. Caterpillar and chrysalis structure defines this group.[2]

Habitat

Typically in or near hardwood forests or their borders . It favors openings or edges of rich or moist woods , but it is also found along powerline clearings in uplands , as well as wooded yards and gardens. It can be seen flying around roads and fields , but it would be misleading to give the impression that it is a denizen of wide-open places. (ref. 104700)

Biology

Diet

Foodplants are leaves of hardwood trees , such as cherry (Prunus) and other trees in the Rosaceae family . It has a wide array of such food trees. The species nectars to some extent, but it is more often seen perched on damp ground sucking moisture, or taking tree sap, carrion , etc. (ref. 104700)

Behavior

Flight period: Apparently three broods, extending from mid-April to late October; rarely as early as the end of March and into November. The first brood seems to end during the first half of June in the Coastal Plain and Piedmont, and in late June in the mountains. The flight after this gap seems to have two broods that run together, with early August a possible "valley" between broods downstate and late August a "valley" in the mountains. (ref. 104700)

Taxonomy

Similar Species

Members of the genus Limenitis

ZipcodeZoo has pages for 17 species and subspecies in this genus:

L. archippus (Viceroy) · L. archippus archippus (Viceroy) · L. archippus idaho (Idaho Viceroy) · L. archippus lahontani (Nevada Viceroy) · L. archippus obsoleta (Arizona Viceroy) · L. arthemis (Green Skipper) · L. arthemis arizonensis (Arizona Red-Spotted Purple) · L. arthemis arthemis (White Admiral) · L. arthemis astyanax (Astyanax Red-Spotted Purple) · L. arthemis rubrofasciata (White Admiral) · L. lorquini (Lorquin's Admiral) · L. lorquini pallidafacies (Lorquin's Admiral) · L. populi (Poplar Admiral) · L. weidemeyerii (Weidemeyer's Admiral) · L. weidemeyerii nevadae (Nevada Admiral) · L. weidemeyerii oberfoelli (Weidemeyer's Admiral) · L. weidermeyerii (Weidemeyer's Admiral)

More Info

• Search for Pictures: images.google.com
• Search for Scholarly Articles: Google Scholar
• Search using Scientific Name and Vernacular Names: All the Web | AltaVista Canada | AltaVista | Excite | Google | HotBot | Lycos
• Search using Specialized Databases: GenBank | Medline | Scirus | CISTI/CAL | Agricola Periodicals | Agricola Books

Further Reading

• Annotated checklist of the butterflies of Illinois [by] Roderick R. Irwin [and] John C. Downey. Urbana, Illinois Natural History Survey, 1973. url p. 25.
• Entomological news. [Philadelphia]American Entomological Society, 1925- url p. 33, p. 34, p. 8, p. 91, p. 93, p. 97.
• Journal of the Kentucky Academy of Science. Lexington, KY: The Academy, 1998- url p. 184, p. 184, p. 87, p. 87.
• Proceedings of the Entomological Society of Washington. Washington, etc.: Entomological Society of Washington url p. 636.
• The Biological bulletin. Woods Hole, Mass.: Marine Biological Laboratory, url p. 116.
• Tulane studies in zoology. 6 1958 New Orleans: Tulane University, 1953-1968. url p. 69.

Notes

Contributors

• Brands, S.J. (comp.) 1989-present. The Taxonomicon. Universal Taxonomic Services, Zwaag, The Netherlands. Accessed January 10, 2012.
• Butterflies of North Carolina
• Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Accessed October 27, 2006. http://www.gbif.org Mediated distribution data from 10 providers.
• Opler, Paul A., Kelly Lotts, and Thomas Naberhaus, coordinators. 2009. Butterflies and Moths of North America. Bozeman, MT: Big Sky Institute. http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/ (Version of April 17, 2009).

Identifiers

• Biodiversity Heritage Library NamebankID: 5539639
• Natural Heritage Network Species Identifier: IILEPL3013
• Zipcode Zoo Species Identifier: 172022

Footnotes

1. http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/taxonomy?f=18&sci=Nymphalidae&com=Brush-footed Butterflies [back]
2. http://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=None&search=Search [back]

©2004-2012 David Stang. All rights reserved.