Weidemeyer's Admiral (Limenitis weidemeyerii [W. H. Edwards])
Wing span: 2 1/4 - 3 3/4 inches (5.7 - 9.5 cm).
Identification: Upperside is black with a white median band on both wings; submarginal areas of hindwing are black. Underside is brown with white markings repeated; base of hindwing is gray-white with dark crosslines; marginal spots on hindwing are gray-white.
Life history: Males perch on trees and shrubs to watch for receptive females, rarely patrolling. Females lay eggs singly on the tips of host plant leaves; caterpillars eat leaves. Third-stage caterpillars hibernate in shelters made of leaves.
Flight: One or two broods from June-September.
Caterpillar hosts: Aspen and cottonwood (Populus), willows (Salix), ocean spray (Holodiscus), and shadbush (Amelanchier).
Adult food: Tree sap, carrion, flower nectar.
Habitat: Deciduous forest, streamsides in coniferous forests, aspen groves, small towns, suburbs.
Range: Southern Alberta south to Nebraska and east-central California, southeastern Arizona and southern New Mexico.
