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Home -> Kingdom Animalia -> Phylum Arthropoda -> Class Insecta -> Order Lepidoptera -> Suborder Macrolepidoptera -> Family Nymphalidae -> Species Limenitis arthemis

Limenitis arthemis
white admiral



2008/05/11 05:31:41.094 GMT-4

By Marie S. Harris

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Suborder: Macrolepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Limenitis
Species: Limenitis arthemis

Geographic Range

The White Admiral is found throughout the eastern United States and West into the Rocky Mountains.

Biogeographic Regions:
nearctic (native ).

Habitat

The White Admiral inhabits deciduous broad-leaf forests and mixed evergreen forests. It also prefers forest edges and clearings.

Terrestrial Biomes:
forest .

Physical Description

The White Admiral has a wingspan of 60-70 millimeters. The upperside of both wings are black and there is a broad white band across each dorsal wing. On the base of the wings are orange spots and marginal rows of white and bluish dashes.

Some key physical features:
ectothermic ; bilateral symmetry .

Reproduction

The White Admiral will often hybridize with the red spotted purple, another member of the genus Limenitis.

Food Habits

Foodplants of the White Admiral include wild cherry, poplar, aspens, and black oaks. The larval foodplant consisits of various trees such as the birch, willow, and poplar.

Economic Importance for Humans: Negative

No documented examples.

Economic Importance for Humans: Positive

No documented examples.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List: [link]:
Not Evaluated.

US Federal List: [link]:
No special status.

CITES: [link]:
No special status.

State of Michigan List: [link]:
No special status.

White admirals are currently widespread and abundant and not listed as threatened.

Other Comments

The white Admiral has a distinct flap and glide flight.

Contributors

Marie S. Harris (author), University of Michigan.

References

Opler, Paul A. A Field Guide to Eastern Butterflies. Houghton Mifflin Company, 1992.

Arnett, Ross H. and Jacques, Richard L.. Guide to Insects. Simon and Schuster, 1981.

2008/05/11 05:31:42.290 GMT-4

To cite this page: Harris, M. 1999. "Limenitis arthemis" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed May 11, 2008 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Limenitis_arthemis.html.

Disclaimer: The Animal Diversity Web is an educational resource written largely by and for college students. ADW doesn't cover all species in the world, nor does it include all the latest scientific information about organisms we describe. Though we edit our accounts for accuracy, we cannot guarantee all information in those accounts. While ADW staff and contributors provide references to books and websites that we believe are reputable, we cannot necessarily endorse the contents of references beyond our control.

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