Goatweed Leafwing Butterfly – Anaea andria

The Goatweed Leafwing butterfly, Anaea andria, is found in about half of the US.

Goatweed Leafwing butterflies are difficult to spot when they are resting with closed wings. The outside of their wings looks like dead leaves.

They lay eggs on specific plants in the croton genus.

The caterpillars make a roll in a leaf of their host plant. They leave the nest to eat leaves. As they grow, they make larger nests.

The chrysalis resembles a green stink bug.

Goatweed Leafwing adult butterflies overwinter as adult butterflies.

Adult butterflies eat rotting fruit. bird droppings, dung, and sap.