Identification: Dark brown or gray with copper tinge. Many small white spots, some forming submarginal bands at margins of both wings. Underside orange with white spots and black submarginal spots. Green rimmed eyes as most metalmarks have (per Fred Heath).Wing Span: 3/4 - 1 1/8 inches (2 - 3 cm). Life History: Eggs are laid singly on leaves of host trees. Caterpillars rest in a nest of leaves tied together with silk, and come out at night to feed on leaves. Third-stage caterpillars hibernate. Flight: Two broods from May-September in Nevada and Utah, many broods from April-November in the south. Caterpillar Hosts: Screwbean mesquite (Prosopis pubescens) and honey mesquite (P. glandulosa var. torreyana). Adult Food: Flower nectar. Habitat: Mesquite desert and thorn scrub. Range: West Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, southern Utah, southern Nevada, and southern California south to central Mexico and Baja California.

Santa Catalina Mountains
Sabino Canyon Recreation Area.
Location: On turpentine bush next to shoulder of main tram road 50 yards past 0 mile marker.
11/2/21

See Butterflies and Moths of North America Pictures and Description