(Limenitis weidemeyerii)
Admirals and Relatives
Appearance: Above, black with white median band of irregular blocks on both wings and white spots near forewing tips. Underside mostly white with black veining on inner half of hindwing, both wings with white marking from above repeated. Wings edged with blue-gray, white and black crescents and a rust colored sub-marginal band on the hindwing.
Wingspan: Large; 2 1/4 to 3 3/4 inches.
Habitat: Woodlands along mountain streams near willows, aspen groves, and serviceberry; foothills, montane.
Flight Times: June to early September; one to two broods.
Larval Foodplant: Willows, aspen, serviceberry, chokecherry, and cottonwoods.
Did You Know…
Males perch on trees and shrubs to watch for receptive females, rarely patrolling. Males are territorial and will strike out to meet other males, dragonflies and even birds (Pyle, 2002). Females lay eggs singly on the tips of host plant leaves; caterpillars eat leaves. Third-stage caterpillars overwinter in shelters made of leaves. The mottled black, gray and white coloring of the larvae make them resemble a spiny bird dropping and thus offer some protection against predators (Angel, 2005).
