Identification: Upperside forewings of both sexes have yellow "dog's head" surrounded by black. "Eye" does not touch black border. Female similar, with duller, more diffuse black areas and 2 seasonal forms: underside hindwing of wet season "summer" form is yellow; that of dry season "winter" form is mottled with black and pink. Wing Span: 2 1/8 - 3 inches (5.4 - 7.6 cm). Life History: Males patrol open areas for females. Eggs are laid on the undersides of terminal leaves of host plants. Adults overwinter in reproductive arrest. Flight: Three flights in the southern states from May-June, July-August, and September-April. Northern colonists have one generation per year, or do not reproduce at all. Caterpillar Hosts: Small-leaved plants in the pea family (Fabaceae) including alfalfa (Medicago sativa); prairie clovers, indigo (Dalea), and clover (Trifolium) species. Adult Food: Nectar from flowers including alfalfa, coreopsis, houstonia, and verbena. Habitat: Dry, open areas such as short-grass prairie hills, scrub oak groves, open woodland, washes, road edges. Range: Resident in South America north to southern Texas and peninsular Florida. Stray or temporary resident from central California northeast through the Great Lakes area and all the eastern states. Conservation: Not usually required. ID clue: Tip of forewing is pointed (per Fred Heath)

Santa Catalina Mountains
Chihuahua Pines Picnic Area.
Location: On Tagetes lemmonii in wash.
10/12/17

Notes: 12/22/21 Sabino Canyon. Head of butterfly on Camphorweed. Ventral surface of hindwing has light dot, with black ring around it, and 2nd smaller dot above it. Note green eyes and pink legs.

Notes: 1/6/22 Sabino Canyon on face of dam. Ventral surface of hindwing has light dot, often with black ring around it, and 2nd smaller dot above it.

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