Insect · GBIF taxon 1898402
American Snout
Libytheana carinentaAlso known as Common Snout Butterfly, Snout Butterfly
American snouts are master mimics of dead leaves, folding their mottled brownish underwings together and pointing their elongated labial palps outward to resemble a dry leaf stem. Following intense late-summer rains in arid regions, localized populations explode into massive migratory swarms containing millions of individuals that stream across roads and open fields. Adults roost head downward along woody twigs, blending seamlessly into foliage to evade sharp-eyed predators.
MigratoryCamouflagePollinator
Licensed reference(c) Judy Gallagher, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Common hackberry leaves
- Sugarberry leaves
- Flower nectar
Predators
- Songbirds
- Praying mantises
- Orb-weaver spiders
ThreatsWidespread habitat clearing, removal of native hackberry trees, and broad-spectrum pesticide applications
HabitatsRiparian woodlands, brushlands, desert washes, forest edges, and suburban gardens near host trees
Life spanSeveral weeks as breeding summer adults; up to 6 months for overwintering generations
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderLepidoptera
- FamilyNymphalidae
- GenusLibytheana
- SpeciesLibytheana carinenta
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Spotting Camouflage: Look for what appears to be a solitary dead leaf clinging tightly to the twig of a hackberry tree.
- Puddling Sites: Approach damp sand along streams or dirt roads in the heat of midday, where adults gather to sip mineral-rich moisture.
- Gentle Observation: Walk slowly when approaching basking adults, as quick movements send them darting erratically into nearby brush.
Host Plant (c) Ayotte, Gilles, 1948-, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Host Plant (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · cc-by-sa
Host Plant (c) Jacob Malcom, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Jacob Malcom · cc-by-sa
Competitor no rights reserved · cc0
Competitor (c) Ainsley, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Neighbor Sid Mosdell from New Zealand / CC BY 2.0 · cc-by
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