Behr's Metalmark
Common NameBehr's Metalmark
Scientific NameApodemia mormo behrii
FamilyRiodinidae
SubfamilyRiodininae
Wingspan (mm)20
Wing Patternspotted
Primary Colorsorange, black, white
HabitatArid scrublands, chaparral, open woodlands, sagebrush flats
Geographic RangeCalifornia, Nevada, Arizona (Western North America)
Host PlantsEriogonum fasciculatum, Eriogonum umbellatum, Eriogonum nudum
Flight PeriodMay to October (multiple broods)
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on the host plant leaves. Larvae feed on buckwheat, often camouflaged, and pupate near the base of the host plant or in leaf litter.
Identification TipsLook for its small size, the distinctive orange and black checkered pattern with white spots, and its association with various species of buckwheat (Eriogonum) in arid regions.
Description
A small butterfly with a striking checkered pattern of bright orange and black, adorned with prominent white spots and subtle metallic flecks on its wings.
