Range
Mountains and along some desert waterways in northern Mexico, southern Arizona, southern New Mexico, and Trans-Pecos Texas. Recorded from the Virgin River in sw. Utah, and perhaps a permanent resident there. Contact with subspecies astyanax may occur in Texas and/or northeastern Mexico, but there is apparently a zone of separation where neither one is found. This is worth investigation.
Food
Larval host is recorded as Willow (Salix), and other Salicaceae, Prunus, and certain other Rosaceae may also be used.
Remarks
Distinctioin from subspecies astyanax is based on trivial average differences in the color pattern and upon distribution. Experts disagree on weather this subspecies deserves any distinction from the other. Habits and habitats are basically the same as for the "typical" Red-spotted Purple, except that this subspecies tends to be mostly restricted to canyon bottoms and other narrow corridors where perennial streams are found. Occasionally hybridizes with L. weidemeyeri and L. arthemis where they come in contact.
