Band-celled Sister
Common NameBand-celled Sister
Scientific NameAdelpha fessonia
FamilyNymphalidae
SubfamilyLimenitidinae
Wingspan (mm)55
Wing Patternstriped
Primary Colorsbrown, white, orange
HabitatOpen woodlands, forest edges, riparian areas, clearings
Geographic RangeSouthern United States (Texas, Arizona, New Mexico), Mexico, Central America
Host PlantsQuercus species (oaks)
Flight PeriodMarch to November
Flight Stylegliding
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on the leaves of host plants, typically oaks. The caterpillars feed on the leaves, and pupation occurs as a chrysalis.
Identification TipsDistinguished by the broad, straight white bands on dark brown wings, combined with the distinctive orange patches at the forewing tip and hindwing lower corner.
Description
A medium-sized butterfly with dark brown wings featuring prominent white bands across both forewings and hindwings, and bright orange patches at the forewing apex and hindwing tornus.
