This family of butterflies (Nymphalidae) is a large family (perhaps the largest) of true butterflies which is highly variable in color and wing shape. Adults also vary from small to large. The male's front pair of legs is reduced and not used for walking. It is from this fact that the family gets its name. There are seven subfamilies with at least one species flying in North Central Florida: The Snouts (Libytheinae), the Heliconians (Heliconiinae), the True Brushfoots (Nymphalinae), the Limenitids (Limenitidinae), the Leaf Butterflies (Charaxinae), the Hackberry Butterflies (Apaturinae), and the Milkweed Butterflies (Danainae).
Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta
clauia)-Although uncommon, this dull, orange-brown, Brushfooted
Butterfly can be found in prairies, fields, and along the county roads of our area. It
flies fast and close to the ground and quite hard to approach. Locally, its main host
plants appear to be Maypop and possible Violets. It readily nectars at various milkweeds
and Spanish Needle.
Subfamily: Heliconiinae
Species Descriptions:
-Florida Museum of Natural History (not available)
-Butterflies
and Moth of North America
Photos:
Dorsal View
Ventral View
Painted Lady (Vanessa
cardui)-Although common and wide spread throughout the U.S., the
Painted Lady is rare to uncommon in North Central Florida. It migrates out of Mexico in
the spring in huge numbers and repopulates much of the country before reaching
Florida-peaking in August or later in some years and not reaching Florida in other years.
It is quite similar to the American Lady which is common in North Central Florida. The
Painted Lady has four small spots on HW in dorsal position, whereas the American Lady
dorsal view has two large spots. Curiously, the photos included herein were taken in early
spring, 2008-even though there is little evidence that the Painted Lady overwinters in
Florida. The photo showing a side by side view of the Painted Lady and the American Lady
was computer manipulated to show the two butterflies together.
Subfamily: Nymphalinae
Species Descriptions:
-Florida Museum of Natural History (not available)
-Butterflies
and Moths of North America
Photos:
Dorsal View
Ventral View
American Lady (left) Painted Lady (right)
Tawny Emperor (Asterocampa clyton)-This
butterfly is locally common to North Central Florida and is found in the forested areas,
usually closely tied to Hackberries. It flies in our area from late March to October in
most years. It is frequently seen in the same areas as the Hackberry Emperor.
Subfamily: Apaturinae
Species Descriptions:
-Florida Museum of Natural History (not available)
-Butterflies
and Moths of North America
Photos:
Zebra Heliconian (Heliconius charithonia)-This
butterfly flies all year in tropical South Florida and colonizes into North Central
Florida with activity in all but the coldest months. It is commonly seen flying in our
area through early December and even later on warm days. It probably has to re-colonize
this area in extremely cold (unusual for our area) winters. Activity around planted and
natural passion vines such as passiflora incarnata and passiflora lutea is fierce during
the summer and early fall months, providing ample observations of its behavior. Low
hanging Spanish Moss in isolated locations often attract roosting aggregates of the Zebra
Heliconian.
Subfamily: Heliconiinae
Species Descriptions:
-Florida
Museum of Natural History
-Butterflies
and Moths of North America
Photos:
The Zebra Heliconian-Our Florida State Butterfly
Left: An aggregate of eight Zebras roosting for the night. Right: Males competing
for the attention of an emerging female
A large aggregate of Zebra Heliconians discovered SW of Gainesville, Florida-12/19/2007
Left: One of a large group of Zebra Heliconian caterpillars devouring Passion Vine.
Right: A freshly emerged Zebra Heliconian.
Male Zebra visiting a newly emerged female.