# Lorquin's Admiral (*Limenitis lorquini*) Lorquin's Admiral is a beautiful butterfly with striking black and orange wings. They flutter around in gardens and forests, adding color to nature's canvas. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 22 - **Habitat:** Forests ![Lorquin's Admiral](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Lorquinsadmiral2.jpg&width=800) Photo: Calibas at en.wikipedia, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lorquinsadmiral2.jpg) ## Appearance The Lorquin's Admiral has deep brown to black wings featuring a prominent creamy-white band across the middle of both forewings and hindwings. Its forewing tips display patches of warm orange-brown, making it distinct from similar dark butterflies with white bands. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Nymphalidae - **Genus:** Limenitis ## Interesting facts - Adult Lorquin's Admirals don't eat solid food, they sip liquids with a straw-like tongue! - Lorquin's Admiral is named after Pierre Lorquin, a French naturalist who explored California. - They can sometimes be seen 'puddling' – gathering to drink minerals from damp soil. - This butterfly's caterpillar looks exactly like bird poop to fool hungry predators! ## Special abilities - **Winged Glider:** Lorquin's Admiral can glide effortlessly on air currents because of its broad wings, which helps them save energy while flying long distances. - **Winter Napper:** Lorquin's Admiral has the ability to overwinter as a small caterpillar because they halt development until spring, which helps them survive cold temperatures. - **Taste Tester Legs:** Lorquin's Admiral can taste with its feet because of special sensors, which helps them find the best nectar flowers or host plants for their eggs. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 55-70 mm - **Size:** 20-30 mm - **Lifespan:** 7-21 days - **Flight Speed:** 15-25 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Caterpillars munch on leaves, while adults sip nectar, tree sap, and juices from ripe fruits. - **Age differences:** Larvae feed on leaves, while adults exclusively consume liquids like nectar, sap, and fruit juices. - **Primary Foods:** Willow leaves, Poplar leaves, Aspen leaves, Nectar, Tree sap, Rotting fruit - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Depends on:** Sandbar Willow (*Salix exigua*) — Larvae feed on its leaves for growth and development. - **Depends on:** [Quaking Aspen](https://www.snappit.app/explore/quaking-aspen) (*Populus tremuloides*) — A crucial host plant for the caterpillars of this butterfly. - **Eaten by:** [Steller's Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/stellers-jay) (*Cyanocitta stelleri*) — This bird preys on both the caterpillars and adult butterflies. - **Eaten by:** Flower Crab Spider (*Misumena vatia*) — Ambushes adults visiting flowers, a common predator. - **Pollinates:** Snowberry (*Symphoricarpos albus*) — Adults visit its flowers for nectar, aiding in pollination. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [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. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [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 Always watch butterflies from a distance so they feel safe and happy. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Lorquin's Admiral? 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 Lorquin's Admiral's wingspan? 55-70 mm ### How big is Lorquin's Admiral? 20-30 mm ### How long does Lorquin's Admiral live? 7-21 days ### How fast can Lorquin's Admiral fly? 15-25 km/h ### What does Lorquin's Admiral eat? Caterpillars munch on leaves, while adults sip nectar, tree sap, and juices from ripe fruits. ### Where is Lorquin's Admiral usually found? Forests ### How does Lorquin's Admiral hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Coloma](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/coloma) — California, US · Neighborhood - [E. E. Wilson Wildlife Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/e-e-wilson-wildlife-area) — Oregon, US · Nature Reserve - [Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/jasper-ridge-biological-preserve) — California, US · Nature Reserve - [Lower Cushman Dam](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lower-cushman-dam) — Washington, US · Historic Site - [Painted Hills](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/painted-hills) — Oregon, US · Natural Landmark - [Ross Lake National Recreation Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ross-lake-national-recreation-area) — Washington, US · National Park [View all places to see Lorquin's Admiral](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/lorquins-admiral) ## 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: [Lorquin's Admiral: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lorquins-admiral)