# Bordered Patch (*Chlosyne lacinia*) The Bordered Patch is a colorful butterfly with bright orange and black patterns. It loves to flutter around flowers and can be seen in sunny spots during warm days. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 9 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Bordered Patch](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Chlosyne_lacinia.jpg&width=800) Photo: Wilfredor, CC0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chlosyne_lacinia.jpg) ## Appearance The Bordered Patch is a medium-sized butterfly with vibrant orange wings outlined by thick black borders. Its forewings feature intricate black patches and veins, giving it a somewhat 'patchwork' appearance. The underside is a paler orange with similar black markings. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Nymphalidae - **Genus:** Chlosyne ## Interesting facts - Adult butterflies use their feet to taste sweet nectar before drinking it! - Every Bordered Patch starts life as a tiny egg laid on a plant leaf! - Its caterpillars have spiky black bristles, making them look like tiny punk rockers! - These butterflies complete a stunning transformation from a crawling caterpillar to a flying adult! ## Special abilities - **Toxic Taste Shield:** Bordered Patch caterpillars can store toxic compounds from their host plants, making them unpalatable to predators, which helps them survive. - **Sun Power Wings:** The Bordered Patch uses its wings to absorb sunlight, allowing it to warm up quickly and fly efficiently, especially in cooler weather. - **Rapid Riser:** This butterfly can produce multiple generations in a single year, allowing its population to rebound quickly and thrive. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 32-51 mm - **Size:** 20-30 mm - **Lifespan:** 14-28 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adult Bordered Patch butterflies sip nectar from flowers, while their caterpillars munch on plant leaves. - **Age differences:** Young caterpillars eat leaves, then adults drink nectar from flowers. - **Primary Foods:** Nectar, Sunflower leaves, Ragweed leaves, Aster leaves - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Depends on:** Common Sunflower (*Helianthus annuus*) — Its caterpillars feed on its leaves. - **Depends on:** [Common Ragweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-ragweed) (*Ambrosia artemisiifolia*) — A primary host plant for its developing larvae. - **Pollinates:** [Butterfly Milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/butterfly-milkweed) (*Asclepias tuberosa*) — Adults visit its flowers for vital nectar. - **Eaten by:** [House Sparrow](https://www.snappit.app/explore/house-sparrow) (*Passer domesticus*) — Young caterpillars can be prey for various bird species. ## Traits - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Butterflies are gentle and safe to watch, but don't try to catch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Bordered Patch? Compare the wing outline, spots, bands, eyespots and wing edges. The underside can look completely different from the top. Check for tails, the antennae and where the markings sit instead of relying on color alone. Butterfly Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Bordered Patch's wingspan? 32-51 mm ### How big is Bordered Patch? 20-30 mm ### How long does Bordered Patch live? 14-28 days ### What does Bordered Patch eat? Adult Bordered Patch butterflies sip nectar from flowers, while their caterpillars munch on plant leaves. ### Where is Bordered Patch usually found? Grasslands ### How does Bordered Patch hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does Bordered Patch have? 6 ## Where to spot - [Congress Avenue Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/congress-avenue-historic-district) — Texas, US · Historic District - [Rattlesnake Springs Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/rattlesnake-springs-historic-district) — New Mexico, US · Historic District - [San Antonio Missions National Historical Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/san-antonio-missions-national-historical-park) — Texas, US · National Park - [Fort Duncan](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fort-duncan) — US · Historic Site - [Fredericksburg Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fredericksburg-historic-district) — Texas, US · Historic District - [Kentucky Camp](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kentucky-camp) — Arizona, US · Historic Site [View all places to see Bordered Patch](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/bordered-patch) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Bordered Patch: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/bordered-patch)