Bordered Patch
Common NameBordered Patch
Scientific NameChlosyne lacinia
FamilyNymphalidae
SubfamilyNymphalinae
Wingspan (mm)40
Wing Patternspotted
Primary Colorsorange, black, white
HabitatOpen fields, roadsides, desert scrub, disturbed areas
Geographic RangeSouthern United States, Mexico, Central America, South America
Host Plantssunflower, ragweed, cocklebur, verbesina
Flight PeriodYear-round in warmer regions; multiple broods from spring to fall elsewhere
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid in clusters on host plant leaves. Larvae are spiny, black with yellow or orange markings, and often feed gregariously. Pupae are mottled brown or gray, camouflaged against vegetation.
Identification TipsLook for the distinctive pattern of orange patches on a dark background, bordered by white spots. The extent of orange can vary greatly, from almost entirely orange to mostly black with small orange spots.
Description
A medium-sized butterfly with highly variable wing patterns, typically featuring a dark brown to black background with prominent orange patches and a border of small white spots along the wing margins.
