Try for Free
tab list
Picture Insect
English
arrow
English
繁體中文
日本語
Español
Français
Deutsch
Pусский
Português
Italiano
한국어
Nederlands
العربية
Home Application Download FAQ
English
English
繁體中文
日本語
Español
Français
Deutsch
Pусский
Português
Italiano
한국어
Nederlands
العربية
Icon about
About
Icon about
General Info
Icon about
Search Tips
Icon about
Harmful or Not
Icon about
Beneficial Effects
Icon about
Common FAQs
Icon about
Similar Insects
Icon about
Popular Insects
Southern white admiral

Southern white admiral

Limenitis reducta

A species of Admirals, Also known as White admiral

Among the dappled light of sun-drenched forests, southern white admiral flutters with wings that boast an intricate pattern of white, blue, and orange spots, mimicking the play of light through a canopy. These chromatic intricacies not only provide camouflage but also signal its chemical defense to potential predators. With a preference for the honey and starkness of certain flowering plants, the caterpillars of southern white admiral exhibit a drastically different appearance and diet, feeding voraciously on the leaves of varied shrub species.

General Info About Southern white admiral
Instantly identify insects with a snap
Snap a photo for instant insect ID and risk assessment, gaining quick insights on bite assessment, toxicity, pest control, behavior, habitat, and safe interaction tips, etc.
Download the App for Free
Rectangle
Attributes of Southern white admiral
Colors
Brown
Black
White
Habitat
grassland; open forest; bushland
Adult Food Sources
Nectar from thistles (cirsium spp.), nectar from brambles (rubus spp.), nectar from butterfly-bush (buddleia), nectar from ivy (hedera helix) flowers, nectar from various flowering asteraceae
Larva Food Source
Leaves of honeysuckle (lonicera periclymenum), leaves of lonicera etrusca, leaves of lonicera implexa, leaves of lonicera arborea, leaves of lonicera caprifolium
Biting/stinging
Not reported
Allergy-causing
Not reported
Defensive attack
Not reported
Venomous
Not reported
Non-poisonous
The Southern white admiral is non-toxic and generally doesn't pose a risk to human health. No need for excessive worry.
Borer
Not reported
Pollinator
The Southern white admiral is often found near the corolla, where its fluffy hairs easily pick up pollen, assisting in the pollination of the plant.
Pest-Eating Predatory
Not reported
Phytophagous
The Southern white admiral feeds on plants, usually without causing significant harm. However, it's important to take the situation seriously if their numbers begin to increase significantly.
Predatory
Not reported
Biting animal or pet
Not reported
Mouthparts Type
Siphoning mouthparts
qrcode
Img download isoImg download android
Rectangle
Species Status of Southern white admiral
It can be found in central and southern Europe, Western Asia, Syria, the Caucasus and Iran.
Rectangle
Distribution Area of Southern white admiral
Central and southern Europe, Western Asia, Syria, the Caucasus and Iran
Rectangle
Life Cycle of Southern white admiral
Egg The southern white admiral begins as an egg, usually laid on a host plant. The egg stage varies in color and may resemble a tiny pearl. Over time, the egg will darken as the embryo develops within.
Larva Once hatched, the southern white admiral enters the larva stage, where it is a caterpillar. This phase is characterized by rapid growth and molting, as the caterpillar consumes vast amounts of host plant foliage. It is brightly colored or camouflaged for protection.
Pupal After reaching sufficient size, the southern white admiral encases itself in a chrysalis during the pupa stage. Within this protective layer, its body undergoes a dramatic transformation, rearranging into the adult form. The chrysalis may exhibit cryptic colors for camouflage.
Adult Emerging from the pupa, the adult southern white admiral’s development is marked by the presence of wings and functional reproductive organs. The body is fully formed and hardened, and the adult is mobile, focusing on reproduction and feeding on nectar.
Rectangle
Adult Size of Southern white admiral
4.5 - 5 cm
Rectangle
Predators of Southern white admiral Larvae
Birds, rodents, wasps, arthropods such as ants and spiders
Rectangle
Predators of Adult Southern white admiral
Birds, rodents, spiders, predacious insects, lizards, frogs
Rectangle
Interesting Facts About Southern white admiral
Despite its delicate appearance, southern white admiral has an extraordinary ability to endure cold, slipping into a state of hibernation that can last several months.
Rectangle
Scientific Classification of Southern white admiral
Tips for Finding Southern white admiral
Your ultimate guide to understanding insects
Unlock the secrets of insect life cycles, habitats, behaviors and observation tips!!
Download the App for Free
Rectangle
Youth Habitat of Southern white admiral
Forests and Woodlands
Rectangle
Adult Habitat of Southern white admiral
Forests and Woodlands, Grasslands and Prairies, Agricultural and Cultivated Areas
Rectangle
How Can You Attract Southern white admiral
Due to the varying diets during their life stages, southern white admiral can be attracted using different types of trap food. For example, caterpillars may be lured using the host plants they feed on, while adults might be attracted to fermenting fruit, nectar, or artificial sweet solutions laid out in traps.
Rectangle
Habitat Preferences of Southern white admiral Through Different Life Stages
Eggs of southern white admiral are typically found on the underside of host plant leaves, tucked away for safety. As caterpillars, they are found on or near their food plants, often leafy shrubs or trees. The well-camouflaged pupae cling to plant stems or leaf surfaces. To find the different stages, inspect host plants in their habitats: wooded areas, forest edges, or shrubby regions, especially where their food sources are abundant. The adults, with vibrant wings, frequent flowering gardens, meadows, and woodland paths where they feed on nectar, making these areas optimal for observation.
Rectangle
When is the Best Time to Observe Southern white admiral
The most suitable time to find southern white admiral is during its active periods. This may include warmer months for adult butterflies when they are most active during the day, especially in the late morning and early afternoon. For caterpillars, time your search when the host plants are abundant and in the growing season.
Rectangle
What is the Best Weather to Observe Southern white admiral
The ideal weather for finding southern white admiral is on sunny and warm days, as cold or rainy weather significantly decreases their activity levels. For adult southern white admiral, light winds are preferable as strong winds can hinder their flight. For the egg or larval stages, weather plays a less critical role but still affects the development and visibility of these stages.
Rectangle
How and Where Can You Find Southern white admiral at Different Life Stages
Egg Southern white admiral eggs are often laid on host plants. To find them, inspect the underside of leaves and stems of known host plants for small, distinctively shaped eggs.
Larva Southern white admiral larvae are caterpillars that can be found on or near their host plants. They consume the leaves, so look for signs of feeding damage, frass (caterpillar droppings), or the caterpillars themselves along the stems and leaves of host plants.
Pupal Southern white admiral chrysalises are stationary and can blend into their surroundings. Search for them by scanning tree trunks, branches, and under leaves for their camouflaged pupae, being careful not to disturb them.
Adult Southern white admiral adults are butterflies that are often seen feeding on nectar from flowers, basking in sunlight, or seeking mates. They can be found by walking through meadows, gardens, and other habitats where flowering plants are abundant, particularly during warm and sunny days.
Are Southern white admiral harmful?
Your Complete Pest Control Guide
Discover effective tips for preventing and eliminating pest infestations to keep bugs away from your home.
Download the App for Free

Usually, the southern white admiral won't threaten or hurt humans. But remember that even a worm will turn. Remember to still be cautious.

Rectangle

Are Southern white admiral harmful to humans?

Some larvae of tortoiseshell butterflies feed on milkweed, which is a poisonous plant containing cardiac glycosides, so the larvae are poisonous. Although poisonous, these butterflies will not directly affect humans if not swallowed. Touching the larvae of certain tortoiseshell butterflies may cause a rash.
Beneficial Effects of Southern white admiral
Discover the hidden benefits of insects
Explore how insects help as pollinators, pest predators, and biocontrol agents. From seed dispersal to decomposition, they play vital roles in our ecosystem.
Download the App for Free
Pollinator
Pollinator
Attract Plant Feature
Color, Shape
Pollination Behavior Reason
Eat Pollen Or Nectar
Southern white admiral visits flowers primarily to feed on nectar, inadvertently transferring pollen in the process. Their vividly patterned wings fluttering amongst blooms are a common and enchanting sight in areas where they thrive, often drawn to the colorful and bright flowers they favor.
Common Questions People Also Ask
Get Quick Insect Answers with a Snap
Snap a photo for instant insect ID and answers on bites, toxicity, pest control, behavior, habitat, and safety tips!
Download the App for Free
More Insects that are Similar to Southern white admiral
Rainforest brown
Rainforest brown

The wingspan is 3.5 - 4 cm for males and 3.5 - 4 cm for females.

Read More
Arrow
Isabella's longwing
Isabella's longwing

Eueides isabella is a large butterfly with a wingspan of 7 - 9 cm. The uppersides of the wings is dark brown, with orange bands and yellowish markings on the edges of the forewings. The undersides of the wings are quite similar to the uppersides, but the edges of the hindwings show a series of small blue spots.

Read More
Arrow
Blue-gray satyr
Blue-gray satyr

Magneuptychia libye is a butterfly from the subfamily Satyrinae of the family Nymphalidae. The scientific name of the species was first validly published in 1767 by Carl Linnaeus.

Read More
Arrow
Two-Banded Satyr
Two-Banded Satyr

Pareuptychia ocirrhoe, the two-banded satyr or banded white ringlet, is a species of butterfly of the family Nymphalidae. It is found from Mexico to the Guyanas, Paraguay and northern Argentina. The habitat consists of forests. The wingspan is about 37 mm. The larvae feed on Eleusine species.

Read More
Arrow
White-banded satyr
White-banded satyr

Pareuptychia metaleuca, the one-banded satyr, is a species of butterfly of the family Nymphalidae. It is found from Mexico to Brazil.

Read More
Arrow
Common maplet
Common maplet

Chersonesia risa, the common maplet, is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae. It is found in South-East Asia.

Read More
Arrow
Wavy maplet
Wavy maplet

Chersonesia rahria is an Indomalayan butterfly of the family Nymphalidae (Cyrestinae). It is found from Manipur and Naga Hills to Burma then from Borneo to Celebes.

Read More
Arrow
Acontius firewing
Acontius firewing

Description of upperside about male is that antennae, head, thorax, and abdomen are black. Wings are fine velvety black. An orange-coloured bar, about ​6 mm broad, rises in the middle of the superior wings, running circularly and crossing the inferior ones, meeting about the middle of the abdominal edges. Underside of male is that palpi is white. Tongue is brown. Breast and legs are white. Abdomen is yellow brown. Wings are shining brown, exhibiting various shades of changeable colours; the tips are terminating in an ash colour. Wings scarcely dentated. Wingspan ​is 7 cm.

Read More
Arrow
Other Popular Insects
Western honey bee
Western honey bee

Western honey bee(Apis mellifera) is the most common species of honeybee in the world. Among the first domesticated insects, its cultural and economic impact on humanity has been vast and far-reaching, providing honey, wax and its services as a pollinator. Western honey bee faces challenges worldwide, such as colony collapse disorder, and populations are thought to be decreasing.

Read More
Arrow
Monarch butterfly
Monarch butterfly

The monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is the most recognizable butterfly in North America. It is best known for its appearance, but should be better known for the fact that it has a 3000-mile migration that takes the butterfly 4 generations to complete. Their diet is also a natural deterrent for predators, as they eat milkweed, a poison that induces vomiting.

Read More
Arrow
Japanese rhinoceros beetle
Japanese rhinoceros beetle

The japanese rhinoceros beetle (Trypoxylus dichotomus) is a massive beetle about the size of the palm of a hand. It's distinguished by its long Y-shaped horn, which it uses to fight other males with. It's a nocturnal bug that feeds on sap and sweet fruits. This species is sometimes kept as a pet due to its unique appearance and simple care requirements.

Read More
Arrow
Silkworm
Silkworm

The silken threads produced by silkworm during its larval stage have been highly coveted for millennia, manifesting as a luxurious fabric in human society. Remarkably, this creature has a singular diet, feeding exclusively on the leaves of its primary host plant from which it extracts the necessary nutrients to facilitate its transition into a non-feeding, winged adult.

Read More
Arrow
Menelaus blue morpho
Menelaus blue morpho

Menelaus blue morpho (Morpho menelaus) is a gorgeous butterfly with large, royal blue wings. Linnaeus named the genus Morpho the Aphrodite-Ancient Greek goddess of love and beauty for its extreme beauty. It is native to tropical rainforests. Though many butterfly gardens now cultivate them in captivity, there are still many people who never get a chance to see them.

Read More
Arrow
Atlas moth
Atlas moth

While the atlas moth (Attacus atlas) can't tell you where to find your country on the map, it does earn its name through other means. It is one of the largest moths in the world, with a wingspan that is far larger than its body, creating an abnormal comparison. In India, their silk is gathered in a non-commercial capacity and is considered to be more durable than the domestic silkworm.

Read More
Arrow
Flying peacock spider
Flying peacock spider

Both sexes reach about 5 mm in body length. Females and immatures of both sexes are brown but have color patterns by which they can be distinguished from related species. Also, the males dance to attract females.

Read More
Arrow
Multicolored asian ladybeetle
Multicolored asian ladybeetle

Often confused for the ladybug, multicolored asian ladybeetle (Harmonia axyridis) is a separate species that, unlike the ladybug, is a household pest. It is considered particularly annoying for its habit of returning to places from which it is removed. One of the most variable species in the world, there are many different colors and patterns multicolored asian ladybeetle may display, making identification potentially difficult.

Read More
Arrow