Identification: Upperside is orange to yellow-orange with black borders and black patches. Underside of hindwing is dark gray with a faint pale band. Wing span: 1 3/4 - 2 3/8 inches (4.5 - 6.1 cm)
Life history: From early morning to noon males perch near host plants to wait for receptive females. Eggs are laid on the host and fall to the base of the plant. A young caterpillar crawls to a leaf tip and burrows inside where it eats pulp and then hibernates. In spring the caterpillar makes a new burrow in a leaf base where it feeds on sap until becoming inactive for the summer. Before pupating, the caterpillar enlarges the opening of its burrow and makes a silk trap door from which the adult emerges.
Habitat: Shrub-grassland or open woodland.
Caterpillar hosts: Parry\'s agave (Agave parryi).
Adult food: Females do not feed; males take moisture at mud or manure.
Range: Central Arizona to west-central New Mexico; southern New Mexico to west Texas. 10006
