Identification: Females are larger than males. Upperside of female is orange with pale purple at the margins of the wings. Scattered black specks are reduced or absent. Upperside of male is dark brown with some red on the hindwing and a large translucent white spot on the forewing. Both sexes have a small white cell spot on the forewing.
Wing Span: 1 5/8 - 2 5/8 inches (4.2 - 6.6 cm).
Life History: Adults are day fliers and mate in the morning. Females lay eggs after dusk in groups on the underside of oak leaves. Caterpillars feed together in groups, and pupate and overwinter in shallow underground burrows.
Flight: One brood from June-July in the north, at least two broods from May-September in the south.
Caterpillar Hosts: Various oaks (Quercus species).
Adult Food: Adults do not feed.
Habitat: Deciduous woodland, suburbs, tree-lined city streets.
Record # | Date | Locale | State | Lat/Lon | Collected By | Count |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
225222 | 2018-07-24 | Decatur County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Sibylla Brown | 1 |
182182 | 2016-05-29 | Decatur County, Iowa | Iowa | Location Protected | Sibylla Brown | 1 |
15595 | 2012-06-10 | Shimek State Forest, Farmington Unit | Iowa | 40.6659 -91.73637 | Frank Olsen | 1 |
15594 | 2010-05-01 | Ohio County, Kentucky | Kentucky | Location Protected | Jourdan Yeckering | 1 |
194441 | 2009-06-27 | Ledges State Park | Iowa | 41.9828 -93.8878 | Roger Heidt | 1 |
15593 | 2006-08-15 | Leon's Farm, Ohio County | Kentucky | 37.42033 -86.77023 | Jim Durbin | 1 |
15592 | 2006-05-29 | Leon's Farm, Ohio County | Kentucky | 37.42033 -86.77023 | Jim Durbin | 1 |
15591 | 2005-06-03 | Wickiup Hill Outdoor Learning Area | Iowa | 42.08398 -91.7651 | Jim Durbin | 1 |
15589 | 2004-05-19 | Wickiup Hill Outdoor Learning Area | Iowa | 42.08398 -91.7651 | Frank Olsen | 1 |
15590 | 2004-05-19 | Wickiup Hill Outdoor Learning Area | Iowa | 42.08398 -91.7651 | Frank Olsen | 1 |
353731 | 2000-07-06 | Cedar Creek Natural History Area | Minnesota | 45.40295 -93.189233 | Kirk J. Larsen | 1 |