Alabama Butterfly Atlas

Goatweed Leafwings have dead-leaf mimicry down to an art.  When perched on tree trunks, their subtly patterned underwings render them invisible.  They even resemble falling leaves—if frightened, they may drop to the ground and remain motionless. When taking flght, a sudden flash of their orange upper surface is guaranteed to startle predators (and butterfly watchers). 

Goatweed Leafwing are named for their leaf-mimicking wings and for their host plant choice--"goatweeds" aka "crotons."  Various goatweed species are found throughout Alabama and so are Goatweed Leafwings.  An ovipositing female places one large egg on a croton leaf tip, sometimes depositing several on one plant.  Newly emerged larvae construct frass chains, curious structures devised by chewing away leaf material to leave only the midrib and then sticking frass (dung) pellets to its tip in order to lengthen it.  Tiny caterpillars rest at the very end, where they appear to be extensions of their frass chains.  Older larvae outgrow these appendages and move on to new leaves that they roll into tight tubes.  When venturing out to eat, their gray-green color and minute silvery dots blend perfectly with croton foliage and stems.  Chrysalides also mimic leaves, often dangling from croton stems.

Goatweed Leafwings overwinter as adults, surfacing only on warm days.  The overwintering generation exhibits brighter color and more exaggerated shape than the summer brood.  Since their short proboscises prevent them from gaining access to most flower nectar, leafwings typically gain nourishment from overripe fruit, sap flows, and carrion.