Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

Crimson Patch
Chlosyne janais (Drury, 1782)


Family: Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Nymphalinae
Identification: Upper and lower sides of forewing are black with small white spots. Upper hindwing is black with large orange-red patch on the basal half. Lower side of hindwing has an orange-red postmedian band that does not extend to margins of the wing.
Wing Span: 1 7/8 - 2 5/8 inches (4.8 - 6.7 cm).
Life History: Eggs are laid in groups under host plant leaves. Caterpillars feed on the undersides of leaves; younger caterpillars feed gregariously.
Flight: Several broods in South Texas from July-November, all year in the tropics.
Caterpillar Hosts: Scrubby plants in the acanthus family (Acanthaceae) including Anisacanthus wrightii in Texas.
Adult Food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Lowland tropical forest edges and fields.
Range: Colombia north through Central America and Mexico to South Texas. Strays to north Texas and southeastern New Mexico.
Conservation: Not necessary for sporadic resident.
NCGR: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: Provide host plant patches in refuges and parks along the lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas.
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