Weidemeyer's Admiral (Limenitis weidemeyerii [W. H. Edwards])
Wing span: 2 1/4 - 3 3/4 inches (5.7 - 9.5 cm).
Identification: Upperside is black with a white median band on both wings; submarginal areas of hindwing are black. Underside is brown with white markings repeated; base of hindwing is gray-white with dark crosslines; marginal spots on hindwing are gray-white.
Life history: Males perch on trees and shrubs to watch for receptive females, rarely patrolling. Females lay eggs singly on the tips of host plant leaves; caterpillars eat leaves. Third-stage caterpillars hibernate in shelters made of leaves.
Flight: One or two broods from June-September.
Caterpillar hosts: Aspen and cottonwood (Populus), willows (Salix), ocean spray (Holodiscus), and shadbush (Amelanchier).
Adult food: Tree sap, carrion, flower nectar.
Habitat: Deciduous forest, streamsides in coniferous forests, aspen groves, small towns, suburbs.
Range: Southern Alberta south to Nebraska and east-central California, southeastern Arizona and southern New Mexico.
Conservation: Not usually required.
The Nature Conservancy Global Rank: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management needs: None reported.
References:
Opler, P. A. and V. Malikul. 1992. A field guide to eastern butterflies. Peterson field guide #4. Houghton-Mifflin Co., Boston. 396 pages, 48 color plates. Scott, J. A. 1986. The butterflies of North America. Stanford University Press, Stanford, Calif. 583 pages, 64 color plates. Tilden, J. W. 1986. A field guide to western butterflies. Houghton-Mifflin Co., Boston, Mass. 370 pages, 23 color plates.
Author: Jane M. Struttmann
State and Regional References:
Opler, Paul A. 1999. Peterson Field Guide to Western Butterflies, revised edition. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, Mass. Stanford, R.E. and P.A. Opler. 1993. Atlas of Western USA Butterflies. Privately published, Denver, Colo. Tilden, J.W. and A.C. Smith. 1986. A Field Guide to Western Butterflies. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, Mass.