Limenitis lorquini

(Boisduval, 1852)

Lorquin's Admiral

Lorquin's Admiral is a in the brush-footed Nymphalidae, named after French naturalist Pierre Joseph Michel Lorquin who came to California during the Gold Rush. It belongs to the Limenitis, which includes several North American admiral butterflies. The species is recorded in butterfly monitoring studies in central California and has been observed engaging in typical admiral such as perching and territorial defense.

Limenitis lorquini by (c) Don Loarie, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Don Loarie. Used under a CC-BY license.

Limenitis lorquini by (c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ken-ichi Ueda. Used under a CC-BY license.

Limenitis lorquini (23542535670) by USFWS - Pacific Region. Used under a Public domain license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Limenitis lorquini: //lɪˈmɛnɪtɪs lɔːrˈkwɪni//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Habitat

Riparian corridors and areas with flowing water, where males establish territories that include plants for their caterpillars. Observed in dry vegetation with some flowering plants in central California study sites.

Distribution

North America; recorded in California (North Sacramento study site), with distribution records from Alberta and Saskatchewan, Canada. The ' range reflects its association with western North American riparian .

Seasonality

Active in late summer; recorded in September during monitoring in North Sacramento, California.

Host Associations

willow - larval Larvae of related Limenitis feed on willow (Salicaceae); specific records for L. lorquini not confirmed in provided sources
poplar - larval Larvae of related Limenitis feed on willow (Salicaceae); specific records for L. lorquini not confirmed in provided sources
cottonwood - larval Larvae of related Limenitis feed on willow (Salicaceae); specific records for L. lorquini not confirmed in provided sources

Behavior

Males perch repeatedly and engage in aerial territorial battles with other males. Males participate in puddling , sipping from wet sand and soil along stream margins to obtain minerals that are transferred to females during mating.

Similar Taxa

Limenitis arthemisBoth are North American Limenitis admirals with similar perching and territorial ; L. arthemis has multiple forms including the red-spotted purple and white admiral
Limenitis archippusAnother North American Limenitis ; viceroy is a well-known mimic of , while L. lorquini is not a mimic

More Details

Etymology

Named after Pierre Joseph Michel Lorquin, a French naturalist who came to California from France during the Gold Rush and made important discoveries on the natural history of the region.