Page 243 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

BUTTERFLY CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Nymphalidae
DISTRIBUTION North America, from southwestern and southeastern Canada
to northern Mexico
HABITAT Disturbed open, weedy habitats, including roadsides,

watercourses, and elds

HOST PLANTS Plantain (Musa spp.), gwort (Scrophularia spp.),
penstemon (Penstemon spp.), acanthus (Acanthus spp.),
and verbena (Verbena spp.)
NOTE Colorful, spiny caterpillar that is prone to oral regurgitation
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated, but common

ADULT WINGSPAN
2⅛–2⅜ in (55–60 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
1½–1 ⁄ in (38–40 mm)
JUNONIA COENIA
COMMON BUCKEYE 241

HÜBNER, 1822

Female Common Buckeye butterflies lay eggs singly on
lower surfaces of host plant leaves or on terminal shoots. The
caterpillars hatch within three days and consume the eggshells
before feeding on leaves. All of the food plants used by this
species contain iridoid glycosides, which encourage the larvae to Actual size
feed as well as supplying them with defensive compounds. First
to third instars feed on the upper surface of leaves, producing
clear patches or spots. Older instars feed openly, consuming
leaves from the edges. During the day, the larvae often wander
o host plants and return at night to feed. The Common Buckeye caterpillar is black

dorsally with two orange stripes broken into
small spots. There are numerous tiny, white
These caterpillars are prone to much oral regurgitation caused spots, and the large dorsal spines are iridescent
by interactions with other larvae. This may provide an overall blue. Laterally the caterpillar is strongly marked
in orange and white, and the head is orange
defense bene t by repelling predators. Development from egg (dorsally) and black (ventrally).

hatch to pupation takes just 15 days in warm temperatures.
Pupation usually occurs on host plants, sometimes under lightly
silked leaf shelters or on other surfaces. Adults emerge after a
week, and there are numerous generations during spring to fall.