Goatweed Butterfly
Anaea andria (Scudder, 1875)
Family: Nymphalidae
Status: Occasional resident
NENHP Ranking: Not listed
Range: This species occupies central North America from South Dakota and southern Michigan south to the Gulf Coast, southern Arizona and New Mexico, and into southern Mexico. It has been found throughout Nebraska.
Larval Hostplant(s): Larvae feed on Wooly, One-seeded and Texas Crotons (Croton capitatus, C. monanthogynus and C. texanus) of which Texas Croton is the most widely distributed in the state.
Broods/Flight Times: Three flights resulting from two broods, with numbers peaking in May, late June/early July and late August into September, the early records from one year being the same overwintering adults as the late records from the previous year. It has been recorded in Nebraska from 24 March – 15 November.
Overwintering: As adults.
Habitat: Adults frequent pastures, roadsides and waste areas where the host plants are found, but occasionally stray quite some distance from these areas.
Avg. Wingspan: 2 3/8 – 3 1/4 inches
Found at:
Similar Species:
Notes: There are several seasonal “forms” of this butterfly. Adults perch on the ground or trees where they resemble dead leaves.
Goatweed Butterfly, Buffalo Co., J. Nikkila
