Limenitis arthemis astyanax

Late May to early September

Deciduous or mixed forests dominated by aspen or birch.

3″ to 3½″ wingspan

This is a large brush-footed butterfly with a 3″ to 3½″ wingspan.

The upper side is dark blue, the underside is dark brown. The upper side of the forewing is dark bluish-black near the body fading to dark brown or orangish-brown near the tip. There is a submarginal row of orange spots and three marginal rows white or pale blue spots. The upper side of the hindwing is dark blue fading to a submarginal row of iridescent light blue spots. There are also three marginal rows pale blue spots.

The underside of both wings is brownish-black with a submarginal row of orange spots and three marginal rows white or pale blue spots. There are additional black-ringed orange spots near the base of each wing.

The range of this species overlaps that of the white admiral (Limenitis arthemis arthemis) in the lower third of the state. Where the ranges overlap the subspecies interbreed and produce offspring with intergrading characteristics.

Leaves of American basswood (Tilia americana), aspen (Populus spp.), birch (Betula spp.), black cherry (Prunus serotina var. serotina), hawthorn (Crataegus spp.), oak (Quercus spp.), serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.), willow (Salix spp.), and other trees.

Sap flows, rotting fruit, aphid honeydew, carrion, dung, and occasionally nectar from small white flowers including meadowsweet (Spiraea) and arrowwood (Viburnum).

The female lays eggs singly on leaf tips of host plants. Offspring of the first brood emerge in August. The offspring of the second brood overwinter as caterpillars in rolled leaves, pupate in the spring, and emerge as adults in June.