Size
Wingspan 63 - 95 mm ( 2 1/2 - 3 3/4 inches).
Identification
Below, the elongated silvery spots on the butterfly's hind wings and the edge of its forewings are unmistakable. Above, bright orange with black markings around the border and three black-rimmed white spots on each forewing.
Larvae are generally orange with black branched spines and greenish-black stripes.
There is a larval variant with purple/lavender stripes, seen mostly in Texas.
Eggs are yellow, laid singly on leaves of host plants.
Range
Mainly southern US, but strays northwards. See
Butterflies and Moths of North America for confirmed county records.
Food
Larvae feed on various species of Passion Flower (Passiflora)
See Also
Zebra Longwing caterpillars also host on Passiflora. They are white with black spines and brown spots.
