Brushfoots
What are they?
The Brushfoots (or Nymphalids) are a plentiful and varied bunch. Over the years, this broad family has been split into a number of smaller families, but currently they are all lumped back together again under the Nymphalidae. At first glance, brushfoots may appear to have only four legs, but in fact the front legs are greatly reduced and carried tucked up beneath the head. They no longer function as legs but instead have become adapted to serve as sensory organs and are covered in brush-like hairs. More than any other butterfly group in our area, members of this family will regularly feed at seeping tree sap, rotting fruit, fresh animal faeces and other sugar-rich or nutrient-rich sources besides flowers.
Identification
This is such a large and varied group that it is hard to pin down critical identification points - though luckily most are pretty easily identified simply by looking at the pictures below. Most species do tend to be predominantly rusty-orange or pinkish brown in overall color, usually with darker markings and many have eyespots on wither the upper- or underwing.
American Snout Libytheana carinenta
Wingspan: 1.75 inches. Flight time: Mostly May to October but probably overwinters in small numbers as an adult and is occasionally seen in other months. Larval foodplant: Hackberries (Cannabaceae). A species of unpredictable occurence, being more common some years than others. Fairly widespread in the county, wherever the larval foodplant grows. Wings superficially resemble those of commas and question marks but note the angular white spots. When seen well, the long palps on the front of the head that give the species its English name are diagnostic.
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Variegated Fritillary Euptoieta claudia
Wingspan: 2.71 inches. Flight time: Mostly April to October but occasionally seen in other months. Larval foodplant: Various plants are known to be eaten but probably mostly violets and pansies (Viola spp.) in our area. Immigrants arrive from the south according to prevailing weather conditions and several broods may emerge locally until cold weather returns in late fall. A fairly common and widespread species, though more so some years than others. Could be mistaken for one of the 'anglewings' but the wings are more regularly shaped at the edges.
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Pearl Crescent Phyciodes tharos
Wingspan: 1.3 inches. Flight time: April to October in two or three broods. Larval foodplant: Asters (Symphyotrichum spp.). A very common species, found in meadows and other open habitats. The various species of crescents in North America can often be difficult to tell apart, but in our region, we only have this one species.
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Question Mark Polygonia interrogationis
Wingspan: 2.5 inches. Flight time: March to October in two broods; overwinters as an adult. Larval foodplant: Elms (Ulmaceae) and Hackberries (Cannabaceae). With the commas, collectively known as 'anglewings'. A common and widespread species which may occasionally be seen in the winter if mild weather causes adults to emerge early. Similar to Eastern Comma but the tip of the forewing is more strongly hooked and there is an extra dark mark, like a short dash, between the largest dark blotch and the tip of the forewing. Individuals of the two broods are differently-colored; summer individuals have dark hindwings, while fall individuals do not. These fall individuals will hibernate and be seen again the following spring.
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Eastern Comma Polygonia comma
Wingspan: 1.9 inches. Flight time: March to October in two broods; overwinters as an adult. Larval foodplant: Elms, nettles and related plants. With the Question Mark, collectively known as 'anglewings'. A widespread species but seemingly not as common as Question Mark. Similar to Question Mark but the tip of the forewing is less strongly hooked and the extra dark mark, like a short dash, between the largest dark blotch and the tip of the forewing is missing. Individuals of the two broods are differently-colored; summer individuals have dark hindwings, while fall individuals do not. These fall individuals will hibernate and be seen again the following spring.
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Mourning Cloak Nymphalis antiopa
Wingspan: 3.0 inches. Flight time: September to October and again February to May or early June; overwinters as an adult. Larval foodplant: The leaves of a range of trees, but especially willows and poplars. A widespread species which may be seen in small numbers almost anywhere. The life cycle is somewhat unusual; adults of the year appear in late June or July and quickly aestivate (the summer equivalent of winter hibernation). They then emerge again in the fall, flying in September and October before hibernating and re-emerging the following spring. A fairly large and graceful butterfly which makes a spirit-lifting sight when seen gliding along a woodland trail in early spring.
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American Lady Vanessa virginiensis
Wingspan: 2.0 inches. Flight time: March to November in several broods. Larval foodplant: Members of the Daisy Family (Asteraceae), usually the felty-leaved members of Antennaria, Gnaphalium and similar plants. A widespread and common species which doesn't overwinter in our region and usually recolonises as immigrants from the south each spring. Very similar to Painted Lady but with several differences; there is a small white dot in the upper, outer part of the orange-colored part of the forewing, the band of angular, dark marks across the middle of the forewing has a break in it, and the underside of the hindwing has two large eyespots (not four small ones). The two species are also different in shape, with American Lady having a less attenuated forewing tip.
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silken 'tent' |
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Painted Lady Vanessa cardui
Wingspan: 2.2 inches. Flight time: April to October in several broods. Larval foodplant: A wide range of herbacous plants. An irruptive immigrant from the south which may be almost absent some years and common in others. Usually arrives in late April or early May, favoring open fields with suitable larval foodplants. Very similar to American Lady but with several differences; there is no small white dot in the upper, outer part of the orange-colored part of the forewing, the band of angular, dark marks across the middle of the forewing is continuous and the underside of the hindwing has four small eyespots (not two large ones). The two species are also different in shape, with Painted Lady having a more attenuated forewing tip.
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Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta
Wingspan: 2.1 inches. Flight time: March to November in two or three broods. Larval foodplant: Nettles and related plants (Urticaceae). This species overwinters as an adult and odd individuals are occasionally seen during the winter months if the weather is mild. However, large numbers migrate south in the fall to overwinter in the southern States and the local population is boosted by immigrants in spring. An easily recognized species with its bright scarlet blaze across each wing.
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Common Buckeye Junonia coenia
Wingspan: 2.0 inches. Flight time: April to October in several broods. Larval foodplant: Members of the plantain family (Plantaginaceae), locally most often False-foxgloves (Agalinis). This species arrives as an immigrant from the south each spring. The large eyespots and showy behavior make this an easy species to identify locally (further south there are two other species to bear in mind).
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Red-spotted Purple Limenitis arthemis
Wingspan: 3.2 inches. Flight time: April to October in two or three broods. Larval foodplant: A wide variety of deciduous trees. A large and stunning species that is believed to mimic the poisonous Pipevine Swallowtail in its appearance and behavior. Our butterflies belong to the form astyanax; further north and west in the Appalachians and beyond, the form arthemis occurs and has a white band across each wing.
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Hackberry Emperor Asterocampa celtis
Wingspan: 2.0 inches. Flight time: June to September in two or three broods. Larval foodplant: Hackberries (Cannabaceae). A widespread but never common species, usually seen singly and often flying high up in the tree canopy. Best told from Tawny Emperor by its less rusty overall color and the more obvious white spots towards the tip of the forewing.
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Tawny Emperor Asterocampa clyton
Wingspan: 2.1 inches. Flight time: June to September in two or three broods. Larval foodplant: Hackberries (Cannabaceae). A widespread but never common species, usually seen singly and often flying high up in the tree canopy. Best told from Hackberry Emperor by its more rusty overall color.
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