Admirals & Viceroy
Limenitis
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Superfamily: Papilionoidea
- Family: Nymphalidae
- Subfamily: Limenitidinae
- Tribe: Limenitidini
- Genus: Limenitis
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Limenitis: //lɪˈmɛnɪtɪs//
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Images
Summary
Limenitis is a genus of butterflies in North America known for their vibrant appearance and complex behaviors, notably in hybridization between distinct color morphs. These butterflies partake in ecological roles through their interactions with host plants and offer a unique example of mimicry in the wild.
Physical Characteristics
Relatively large, very active butterflies without tails or other projections on the wing margins. The upperside is mostly blackish-blue with white postmedian bands across both wings. Some individuals have a row of red submarginal spots. The underside is blackish with a broad white post-median band and a basal area containing many red spots.
Identification Tips
North American species, including Lorquin's Admirals, have distinctive color patterns, easy to distinguish from one another. Lorquin's Admirals have orange front wing tips; Weidemeyer's Admirals have pale undersides with dark veins; White Admirals are rusty brown to nearly black below; the Red-spotted Purple resembles a mimic of the Pipevine Swallowtail with distinctive blue reflective coloring and a lack of white bands.
Habitat
Deciduous woodlands, along forest edges and shady areas, including roadsides. Most often found in sunny openings near larval host plants.
Distribution
Widespread throughout North America, with the white admiral found in northeastern regions, including New England and southern Great Lakes, and the red-spotted purple southern as far as Florida.
Diet
Caterpillars primarily feed on woody dicots, particularly species in the Salicaceae family like poplars and willows, as well as members of the Rosaceae family such as black cherry. Adult butterflies feed on nectar from small white flowers and rotting fruit.
Life Cycle
Two broods lasting from April to October. Caterpillars hibernate in a 'hibernaculum' during winter; the first brood typically matures in spring, while some second brood larvae emerge in early fall.
Reproduction
Females lay eggs on the tips of food plants' leaves, generally about two to three feet off the ground. Eggs develop for about seven days before hatching into caterpillars.
Predators
Natural predators include birds and possibly other insectivorous fauna that feed on butterflies and caterpillars.
Ecosystem Role
As pollinators and part of the food web, they support the ecosystem through interactions with host plants and other species.
Cultural Significance
The white admiral is the official state butterfly of New York. Limenitis arthemis arthemis is also considered an unofficial insect emblem of Quebec.
Evolution
The genus Limenitis has been studied for its hybridization and mimicry, particularly in how L. arthemis has evolved distinct traits between its major groups (white admirals and red-spotted purples) through environmental adaptation.
Similar Taxa
Misconceptions
Could be confused with other families such as Swallowtails and Sisters, but differ notably in lack of tails on hindwings and specific wing patterns.
Tags
- butterflies
- Limenitis
- Limenitis arthemis
- white admiral
- red-spotted purple