American Snout

Libytheana carinenta

The American Snout butterfly, also known as Libytheana carinenta, is a unique species of butterfly found in the Sonoran Desert.

With its distinct long snout and orange-brown wings, this butterfly is a true wonder of nature.

Adults perch on branches and imitate dead leaves, and males patrol near host plants to find females.

Lifecycle of the American Snout Butterfly

The American Snout butterfly is a migratory species that can travel up to 1,500 miles during the fall and spring seasons. The adult butterfly emerges from its chrysalis in the late winter or early spring and begins its journey northward. During this journey, the butterfly will mate and lay eggs on various plants.

The eggs of the American Snout butterfly are laid singly on the leaves of larval host plants. The larval host plants provide essential nutrition to the growing caterpillars. The eggs hatch into caterpillars, which feed on the host plants and grow rapidly. The caterpillars then form chrysalises, where they undergo metamorphosis and transform into adult butterflies.

There are two broods: May – June and August. Adults overwinter in the southern part of their range.

Nectar Plants of the American Snout Butterfly

The American Snout butterfly is known to feed on a variety of nectar plants. Some of the most common nectar plants for this species include milkweeds, asters, goldenrods, and sunflowers. These plants provide essential nutrients to the adult butterfly and are vital to its survival.

Larval Host Plants of the American Snout Butterfly

The American Snout butterfly is unique in that it has a limited range of larval host plants. The most common host plant for this species is the hackberry tree. Other host plants include sugarberry, desert hackberry, and netleaf hackberry. These plants provide essential nutrients to the growing caterpillars and are necessary for the survival of the species.

For more information, go to Butterflies and Moths of North America