Goatweed Leafwing Butterfly
The Goatweed Leafwing butterfly (Anaea andria) is found in various parts of the U.S. including deep south Florida and south Texas.
Their orange color with black spots and patterns, and leaf-like wings, make them difficult to spot. The underside is brown or gray with darker brown marks; when the wings are folded, it appears as a dead leaf.
They can be found in fields, the edges of woodlands and stream beds where crotons grow.
Compare with the Tropical Leafwing.
Size: 2.2" - 3.0"
Adult food: rotting fruit, dung, sap, bird droppings
Host plants: crotons (goatweeds)
Goatweed Leafwing Butterfly Life Cycle Stages and Times
Stage | Typical Duration |
Egg stage | 3 to 9 days |
Caterpillar (larval) stage | 4 to 6 weeks |
Chrysalis (pupal) stage | 7 to 10 days |
Adult butterfly stage | 6 to 14 days |
Goatweed Leafwing Butterfly (dorsal view) |
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Goatweed Leafwing Butterfly (ventral view) (Tyler, Texas - June, 2018) |
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Texas Goatweed (Croton capitatus) |
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