Lorquins Admiral: All You Need to Know in a Nutshell

Lorquin’s Admiral is a striking butterfly species known for its black and white wing patterns. Found in various habitats, from woodlands to urban gardens, these butterflies are a delightful sight for nature lovers. With a wingspan ranging from 2 to 2 5/8 inches, Lorquin’s Admiral stands out due to its unique combination of orange-brown forewing tips and reddish-brown undersides with white markings.

The caterpillars of this species feed on a variety of host plants, such as wild cherry (Prunus), willows (Salix), poplar and cottonwood (Populus), and even orchard trees. As they undergo metamorphosis, the caterpillars transform into the eye-catching butterflies that many people admire. Keep an eye out for these fluttering wonders during the warmer months, and you might just catch a glimpse of this beautiful species.

Basic Information about Lorquins Admiral

Limenitis Lorquini

Lorquin’s Admiral is a butterfly species that belongs to the genus Limenitis. It is often found in the states of California and Oregon, where it inhabits a range of habitats.

Size

• Forewing length: 26-36mm
• They are of medium size

Wingspan

The wingspan of the Lorquins Admiral butterfly ranges from 2 to 2 5/8 inches (5.1 – 6.7 cm). This contributes to its distinctive appearance, which includes black, white, and reddish-brown colors on its wings.

Range

Lorquin’s Admiral can be found in the following areas:

• California
• Oregon
• Western North America

Their habitat typically consists of woodland edges, riparian corridors, and urban gardens.

Life Cycle and Behavior

Eggs

Lorquin’s Admiral butterflies lay their eggs on host plants, typically on willow tree leaves. These eggs are small and round, often resembling bird droppings to camouflage from predators.

Larva

As larvae, they go through stages called instars. Caterpillars tend to be solitary and feed on the leaves of their host plants. Their appearance mimics bird droppings to deter potential predators.

Adults

Adult Lorquin’s Admiral butterflies are territorial and can be found flying along willow-lined streams and perching territorially. They are known to visit a variety of flowers, such as California Buckeye and Buttonbush.

Season

The flight season for these butterflies lasts from April to October. This period offers ample opportunity for mating and laying eggs.

Broods

Lorquin’s Admirals tend to have multiple broods annually. Adult butterflies emerge from their chrysalis with a lifespan of several weeks, which allows them to maintain continuous generations throughout the season.

In summary, the Lorquin’s Admiral butterfly life cycle is characterized by its unique usage of host plants for egg-laying and larval feeding, their bird dropping-like appearance as a defense mechanism, a flight season spanning from April to October, and multiple generations throughout the year.

Host Plants and Diet

Host Plants

Lorquin’s Admiral butterfly mainly relies on two types of host plants:

• Willows (Salix spp.): These deciduous trees and shrubs provide a suitable environment for the larvae to feed and develop.
• California Buckeye (Aesculus californica): This tree is another host plant commonly found in California.

Larva Diet

Lorquin’s Admiral caterpillars feed specifically on the leaves of their host plants. They have a particular preference for:

• Glabrous, green-leaved willows: These smooth-leaved willows are commonly found in their natural habitat ¹.
• Cottonwood (Populus spp.): In some cases, caterpillars might feed on leaves from cottonwood trees, although willows are their primary choice.

Adult Diet

Adult Lorquin’s Admirals have a different diet than their larval stage, consisting of:

• Nectar: Adult butterflies primarily feed on nectar from various flowers, such as Yerba Santa (Eriodictyon californicum).
• Sap: Lorquin’s Admirals might also consume tree sap as a source of nutrients.
• Decaying fruit: Sometimes, the butterflies are seen feeding on rotting fruits.
• Dung: Adult Lorquin’s Admirals might occasionally be attracted to dung, as it provides a source of essential minerals ².

Habitat and Distribution

Natural Habitat

Lorquin’s Admiral (Limenitis lorquini) is a characteristic riparian species found in regions spanning from California to Oregon. This butterfly thrives near willow-lined streams, where it often perches territorially. Its natural habitat includes:

• Sea level to 8000′ elevation
• Willow, poplar, and cottonwood trees

Garden Requirements

To attract Lorquin’s Admiral to your garden, consider the following:

• Plant willow trees (Salix) as caterpillar hosts
• Include wild cherry (Prunus) for additional caterpillar food
• Provide flowering plants like California Buckeye, Buttonbush, and Yerba Santa as nectar sources for adult butterflies

Note that Lorquin’s Admirals mimic the inedible California Sister butterfly, which shares its habitat.

Similar Species and Identification

California Sister

The California Sister is a butterfly species that can sometimes be mistaken for the Lorquin’s Admiral due to their similar appearance. Both species have dark backgrounds with white stripes. Some key differences, however, include:

• California Sister has an orange outer margin on the forewing, while Lorquin’s Admiral has a white median band (source).
• California Sisters tend to be larger with a wingspan of 2.5 to 3 inches, while Lorquin’s Admiral has a wingspan of 2 to 2 5/8 inches (source).

Weidemeyer’s Admiral

Weidemeyer’s Admiral is another butterfly species similar to the Lorquin’s Admiral. They both belong to the same genus, Limenitis, and share similar patterns and colors. Here are some distinctions:

• Weidemeyer’s Admiral has a reddish-orange band on the hindwing, which Lorquin’s Admiral lacks (source).
• Weidemeyer’s Admiral usually has a larger wingspan, ranging from 2.5 to 3 inches, compared to Lorquin’s Admiral’s wingspan.

Comparison Table