# Map (*Araschnia levana*) The Map butterfly is a colorful insect that loves to flutter around gardens and meadows. Its wings have unique patterns that look like a map, making it special and easy to recognize! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Grasslands - **Also known as:** Map Butterfly ![Map](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Araschnia_levana_LC0263.jpg&width=800) Photo: Jörg Hempel, CC BY-SA 3.0 de · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Araschnia_levana_LC0263.jpg) ## Appearance The Map is a medium-sized butterfly known for its striking seasonal dimorphism. Its spring form is orange and black with white spots, while the summer form is mostly black with a white band, resembling a map pattern. These distinct appearances help it blend into different seasonal foliage. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Nymphalidae - **Genus:** Araschnia ## Interesting facts - Map butterflies only lay eggs on nettle plants, nowhere else in the whole world! - Map butterfly wings look completely different depending on the season they hatch! - Sometimes a Map butterfly can even hatch with half spring colors and half summer colors! - Their caterpillars are super spiky, like tiny porcupines, to scare away hungry birds! ## Special abilities - **Seasonal Style Shift:** Map can completely change its wing patterns between spring and summer, helping them camouflage perfectly with the changing seasons. - **Spiky Defense:** Map caterpillars have sharp, branching spines across their bodies that protect them from predators who try to eat them. - **Rapid Generation Cycle:** Map has a fast lifecycle that allows them to produce multiple generations in one year, helping them thrive. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 30-45 mm - **Size:** 15-25 mm - **Lifespan:** 10-180 days - **Flight Speed:** 7 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adult Map butterflies sip flower nectar, while their caterpillars munch on specific leaves to grow. - **Age differences:** Larvae eat nettle leaves; adults drink flower nectar. - **Primary Foods:** flower nectar, stinging nettle leaves, wild marjoram, thistles - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** Stinging Nettle (*Urtica dioica*) — Its caterpillars exclusively feed on its leaves. - **Eaten by:** [Great Tit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-tit) (*Parus major*) — Young birds often prey on adult butterflies. - **Pollinates:** Wild Marjoram (*Origanum vulgare*) — Adults sip nectar, transferring pollen between flowers. - **Pollinates:** [Creeping Thistle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/creeping-thistle) (*Cirsium arvense*) — A favored nectar source for adult Map butterflies. ## 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. - [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. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. - [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 safe to watch, but don't try to catch them. They are delicate and need to fly freely. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Map? 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 Map's wingspan? 30-45 mm ### How big is Map? 15-25 mm ### How long does Map live? 10-180 days ### How fast can Map fly? 7 km/h ### What does Map eat? Adult Map butterflies sip flower nectar, while their caterpillars munch on specific leaves to grow. ### Where is Map usually found? Grasslands ### How does Map hunt? Foraging ## 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: [Map: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/map)