Little Metalmark
Common NameLittle Metalmark
Scientific NameCalephelis borealis
FamilyRiodinidae
SubfamilyRiodininae
Wingspan (mm)20
Primary Colorsorange, black, blue-grey
HabitatMoist woodlands, bogs, fens, stream edges, and clearings
Geographic RangeEastern North America, from New England south to Georgia, and west to Ohio and Kentucky
Host PlantsSenecio spp. (ragworts, groundsels)
Flight PeriodLate May to early July, sometimes a partial second brood in late summer
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on host plants. Larvae feed on the leaves, pupating after several instars. Typically one brood per year, occasionally a partial second.
Identification TipsLook for its small size, bright orange and black checkered pattern, and the characteristic metallic blue-grey lines along the wing margins. Often found in moist, wooded habitats.
Description
A small butterfly with vibrant orange wings intricately marked with black spots and wavy lines, featuring distinctive iridescent blue-grey submarginal lines on both forewings and hindwings.
