Southern Dogface - Alabama Butterfly Atlas

Butterfly: Wingspan: 1¾ - 2½ inches (4.8 - 6.4 cm) UPPER SURFACE (dorsal) Yellow. Forewing has black scalloping that forms "dog's head" shape. One black spot (the "eye"). Black wash on forewing edge and near upper body. Hindwing has narrow black border. Female markings paler. UNDER SURFACE (ventral) Seasonably variable. Forewing with one black eyespot; hindwing with two silver spots. Summer form bright yellow; winter 'rosa' form suffused with rosy pink.

ID Tip: Look for the uniquely pointed forewing. The “dog’s face” on the forewing top side is sometimes visible through closed wings.

Egg: Whitish; spindle shaped. Laid singly or in small clusters on host plant.

Caterpillar: Two forms: green with a white and orange-spotted line on lower sides; green with yellow and black crossbands from head to tail. Head green.

Chrysalis: Green; mildly pointed at head. Strongly resembles a leaf until emergence is eminent, then “dog’s face” and yellow wings are clearly visible.

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Southern Dogfaces are a hit-or-miss proposition throughout much of their range in Alabama. Known migrants, they often merely wander through areas, showing up sporadically from year to year. However, in Alabama’s blackland prairies and cedar glades, they are reliably resident and, at times, the most common butterfly. They remain because Prairie clovers, preferred caterpillar host plants, are prevalent. Another favorite host, Tall Indigo Bush, often grows along riverbanks and may provide dispersal corridors for these butterflies.

Like many other sulphurs, Southern Dogfaces are seasonably variable in appearance and lifestyle. Summer forms have bright yellow outer wings and produce multiple generations. Winter 'rosa' forms are flushed with varying amounts of pinkish-rose scaling. They live through the winter in reproductive diapause and may survive several months. Southern Dogfaces' pointed forewings are a diagnostic field mark are unique among southeastern sulphurs. The iconic "dog face” can be viewed two ways: some see a schnauzer-like silhouette while others see a poodle's head.

Southern Dogface's are strong, rapid fliers. Males patrol all day in search of unmated females. The urge to reproduce is so strong that males will perch on chrysalides that contain female butterflies, waiting for their emergence (see photo below). Southern Dogfaces nectar from a variety of flowers, and males engage in puddling behavior.

A dot on the county map indicates that there is at least one documented record of the species within that county. In some cases, a species may be common throughout the county, in others it may be found in only a specific habitat. The High Count information shows the highest numbers recorded for this species as well as when and where they occurred.

The sightings bar graphs depict the timing of flight(s) within each of three geographic regions. Place your cursor on a bar within the graph to see the number of individuals recorded during that period.

The abundance calendar displays the total number of individuals recorded within each week of the month. Both the graphs and the calendar are on based data collection that began in 2000.

The records analyzed here are only a beginning. As more data is collected, these maps and graphs will paint a more accurate picture of distribution and abundance in Alabama. Submit your sightings to albutterflyatlas@gmail.com.

Sightings in the following counties: Baldwin, Barbour, Bibb, Chilton, Choctaw, Colbert, Dallas, Franklin, Greene, Hale, Henry, Lawrence, Lee, Madison, Marengo, Marshall, Perry, Pickens, Pike, Russell, Sumter

Sightings in the past 5 years
Sightings in the past 5 - 10 years
Sightings more than 10 years ago

High count(s):

38 - Lawrence - 5/5/2012
32 - Pickens - 6/13/2020
31 - Lawrence - 9/4/2010

View county names by moving the mouse over a county or view a map with county names

Jan				Feb				Mar				Apr				May				Jun				Jul				Aug				Sep				Oct				Nov				Dec
1	2	3	4	1	2	3	4	1	2	3	4	1	2	3	4	1	2	3	4	1	2	3	4	1	2	3	4	1	2	3	4	1	2	3	4	1	2	3	4	1	2	3	4	1	2	3	4
				2			1	18	3	3	4	5	3		8	40	1	4	46	3	37	46	40	46	21	7	4	6	8	55	23	48	26	20	21	13	8	7	43	1

Open areas such as priaires, woodland openings over limestone, cedar glades. Also along stream, creek and river banks. Not usually close to human habitation.

Southern Dogface (*Zerene cesonia*)

County

© Sara Bright

River corridor in Sumter County

Members of the Pea family (Fabaceae), especially prairie-clovers (Dalea spp.) and false indigos (Amorpha spp.), are reported throughout the range.

The following are documented in Alabama:

For more information about these plants, please visit the Alabama Plant Atlas using the links above.

Southern Dogfaces are not usually found near human habitation.

Southern Dogface (Zerene cesonia) Photos

Click on individual photos to view a larger version that includes photo credits, county, and date.
Photos with comments are indicated by a small, tan dot on the bottom right.