General: American Snout Butterflies (Libytheana carinenta) are recognized by their long snout, coloration, and wing shape. The "snout" is formed by unusually long labial palps that extend far beyond the head. The under-wing is grayish, and the upper-wing is orange and brown with small white spots towards the tips. The edge of the wing has two little projections (teeth), and the wingtip is squared off. Males and females can be identified by the front legs: the legs are normal in female, but reduced in males.

Adult snouts migrate and overwinter as adults in the southern part of their range.

Taxonomy: Family: Brush-footed Butterflies (Nymphalidae); Subfamily: Snouts (Libytheinae). There are 10 species of snout butterflies, but only this species occurs in North America.

Behavior: Adults hide by hanging head down from twigs, and with their long snout and gray under-wing color, mimic dead leaves. Males patrol host plants waiting for females.

Flight: Flies in May-June, and again August. Also flies during December in southern Nevada. This species migrates.

Wing Span: about 2 inches.

Adult Food: Adults feed on nectar from a variety of plant species.

Caterpillar Food: Caterpillars feed on Hackberry (Celtis spp.) trees, which are uncommon in southern Nevada.

Larvae: Eggs are laid in small groups on Hackberry leaves. The eggs hatch, and the larvae eat the leaves.

Habitat: Forest clearings and edges, desert scrub, brushy fields, and roadsides. Mojave Desert Scrub on alluvial fans and along limestone ridges.

Range: South America, the West Indies, and the southern United States.

For More Information: See the Butterflies and Moths website.