Butterflies at Home



Goatweed Leafwing Butterfly

The Goatweed Leafwing butterfly (Anaea andria) is found in various parts of the U.S. including deep south Florida and south Texas.

Their orange color with black spots and patterns, and leaf-like wings, make them difficult to spot. The underside is brown or gray with darker brown marks; when the wings are folded, it appears as a dead leaf.

They can be found in fields, the edges of woodlands and stream beds where crotons grow.

Compare with the Tropical Leafwing.

Size: 2.2" - 3.0"

Adult food: rotting fruit, dung, sap, bird droppings
Host plants: crotons (goatweeds)

Goatweed Leafwing Butterfly Life Cycle Stages and Times

Stage Typical Duration
Egg stage 3 to 9 days
Caterpillar (larval) stage 4 to 6 weeks
Chrysalis (pupal) stage 7 to 10 days
Adult butterfly stage 6 to 14 days

 

Goatweed Leafwing Butterfly (dorsal view)
Goatweed Leafwing Butterfly

Goatweed Leafwing Butterfly (ventral view) (Tyler, Texas - June, 2018)
Goatweed Leafwing Butterfly - wings closed

Texas Goatweed (Croton capitatus)
Texas Goatweed (Croton capitatus)