Bordered Patch (University of Arizona Pollinator Field Guide)

Bordered Patch

Chlosyne lacinia

Who am I? ²

Hello! I am Chlosyne lacinia, or you can also call me the Bordered Patch. My favorite nickname is the sunflower patch. As pretty as I may be, we can look rather intimidating as caterpillars with our gothic spikes and Halloween orange bodies. We usually all hang out together when we are young, and can completely devour a plant's stems and leaves like a massive black hole would. Fun fact, there is actually a species of stink bug (Stiretrus anchomgo) that keeps us at bay. ~whispers~ They can eat a whole herd of our caterpillars... scary, isn't it?

Quick facts ²

Common name: Bordered patch / Sunflower patch

Scientific name:Chlosyne lacinia (Geyer 1837)

Family: Nymphalidae - Nymphalinae

Characteristics:

Wingspan: 1 3/8 - 2 inches (3.5 - 5.1 cm)
Tends to vary in coloration
Upperside: typically black with a thick orange or cream midline band; several white spots scattered on forewing; white spots rimming hindwing
Underside: also typically black with bands of orange and cream

Host plant: Prefers sunflower (Helianthus), great ragweed (Ambrosia trifida), crownbeard (Verbesina), cocklebur (Xanthium), and other related Asteraceae

Nectar plant: Various flowers

Distribution: SW United States to Argentina

Flight times: Can usually be seen Mar. - Oct., and year-round in Texas. See seasonality: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/68240-Chlosyne-lacinia

Where can you find me on campus? ²

There is currently only one observation of the Bordered patch on campus, which was on a lantana near the Albert B. Weaver Science-Engineering library. It is possible to find more of these butterflies on campus, perhaps around Old Main fountain, the pollinator gardens around Biological Sciences West, or at lantana bushes scattered around campus.