Puddling
Guides
Asterocampa leilia
Empress Leilia, Leilia hackberry butterfly, desert hackberry
Asterocampa leilia, commonly known as the Empress Leilia or desert hackberry, is a medium-sized brush-footed butterfly (Nymphalidae) native to the southwestern United States and Mexico. Adults are brownish-orange with distinctive white and black spots on the ventral wing surfaces. The species is closely associated with hackberry (Celtis) host plants and exhibits notable behavioral adaptations for mate location, including perching and patrolling strategies. Males engage in territorial defense and behavioral thermoregulation at sunlit perching sites.
Atrytonopsis
Atrytonopsis is a genus of skippers in the family Hesperiidae, native to Mexico and the southwestern United States. The genus contains approximately 14 described species, including the dusted skipper, moon-marked skipper, and white-barred skipper. One notable population occurs in an isolated insular sand dune habitat off the North Carolina coast, representing a significant disjunct distribution from the main range. Species within this genus are generally associated with open habitats and riparian corridors.
Atrytonopsis pittacus
White-barred Skipper
Atrytonopsis pittacus, the white-barred skipper, is a grass skipper in the family Hesperiidae described by William Henry Edwards in 1882. It occurs in Central and North America. Males have been observed puddling at stream margins to obtain minerals. The species has a MONA/Hodges number of 4085.
Atrytonopsis python
Python Skipper, Annual Sea-blite
Atrytonopsis python, commonly known as the Python Skipper or Annual Sea-blite, is a species of grass skipper butterfly in the family Hesperiidae. It is found in North America. The species was first described by Edwards in 1882. Two subspecies are recognized: A. p. margarita and the nominate A. p. python. The species is assigned MONA/Hodges number 4086.
Limenitis
admirals
Limenitis is a genus of brush-footed butterflies in the family Nymphalidae, commonly called the admirals. The genus includes well-known North American species such as the viceroy (L. archippus), a Müllerian mimic of the monarch butterfly, and the red-spotted purple (L. arthemis astyanax), a forest-dwelling butterfly. Some authorities include the sister butterflies (Adelpha) and commander butterflies (Moduza) within this genus. The name derives from Neo-Latin meaning 'of harbours,' from Ancient Greek λιμήν (harbour, haven).
Limenitis arthemis arizonensis
Arizona Red-spotted Purple
Limenitis arthemis arizonensis is a subspecies of the red-spotted purple butterfly complex found in western North America. It represents one of several stable hybrid wing patterns within the nominal species L. arthemis, which has been extensively studied for its evolution of mimicry. The subspecies occurs from Arizona to southern California and Mexico, overlapping with the range of the white admiral and red-spotted purple forms. Like other members of the complex, males are known to defend territories along riparian corridors.
Limenitis arthemis astyanax
Red-spotted Purple
Limenitis arthemis astyanax, the Red-spotted Purple, is a North American butterfly subspecies belonging to the admiral group. It represents one of the most striking examples of Batesian mimicry among North American butterflies, with wing patterns converging on those of the toxic Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor). The subspecies occurs in forested and wooded suburban habitats across eastern North America, where adults are frequently observed perching on the ground or foliage along stream corridors and forest edges.
Marpesia
Daggerwings
Marpesia is a genus of butterflies in the family Nymphalidae, commonly known as daggerwings. These butterflies are found in the Neotropical and Nearctic realms, with species distributed from the southern United States through Central and South America. The genus is named after Marpesia, a queen of the Amazons in Greek and Roman legendary history. Marpesia butterflies are notable for their striking wing patterns and distinctive behavior called "pumping," in which they rapidly imbibe water through their proboscis and expel it from their abdomen, possibly for thermoregulation.
Marpesia zerynthia
Waiter, Waiter Daggerwing
Marpesia zerynthia, commonly known as the waiter or waiter daggerwing, is a Neotropical butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. The species is named for its distinctive wing shape and behavior. Adults are known for gathering in small groups at wet sand and mud to extract moisture and minerals, a behavior called "puddling." The species exhibits a unique thermoregulatory behavior called "pumping," where butterflies rapidly imbibe and expel water. Development from egg to adult takes 32 days or less under favorable conditions.
Papilio canadensis
Canadian Tiger Swallowtail
A medium-sized swallowtail butterfly with yellow and black striped wings, found across northern North America. Adults fly during spring and summer with a single annual brood. The species was formerly considered a subspecies of Papilio glaucus but is now recognized as distinct based on morphological and genetic differences. It exhibits regional adaptation to climate, with northern populations showing faster development rates in cooler temperatures.
Papilio eurymedon
Pale Swallowtail, Pallid Swallowtail
Papilio eurymedon, commonly known as the pale swallowtail or pallid swallowtail, is a swallowtail butterfly native to western North America. It is distinguished from the western tiger swallowtail by its white-cream to very pale yellow coloration. The species exhibits single-brooded development across most of its range, with multiple broods along the Pacific Coast. Adults are active from April through October, with peak abundance in May and July.
Plebejus icarioides icarioides
Melissa Blue, Icaricia Blue
Plebejus icarioides icarioides is a subspecies of blue butterfly in the family Lycaenidae, commonly known as the Melissa Blue or Icaricia Blue. The species complex has been subject to taxonomic revision, with this subspecies sometimes placed in the genus Icaricia. It occurs in western North America and is associated with open habitats. The subspecies is part of a broader species group that includes the endangered Fender's blue butterfly (P. i. fenderi), which has been extensively studied for conservation purposes.
Urania
Urania is a genus of day-flying moths in the family Uraniidae, established by Fabricius in 1807. The genus name derives from Greek mythology, meaning 'heavenly' or 'of heaven,' referencing the muse of astronomy. These moths are notable for their exceptionally bright, iridescent coloration that rivals or exceeds that of butterflies. The genus includes species that exhibit distinctive behaviors such as puddling along riverbanks to obtain mineral salts.
Urania fulgens
urania swallowtail moth, green page moth
Urania fulgens is a day-flying moth in the family Uraniidae, notable for its iridescent green coloration and swallowtail-like wing shape. The species is highly migratory, with populations moving through Mexico, Central America, and northwestern South America. It has been recorded as a vagrant to Texas. Mass migrations have been documented, including a significant event observed in Costa Rica in 2005 with Tapantí National Park identified as a possible destination.