Rosita Patch (Chlosyne rosita Hall)
Wing span: 1 7/16 - 1 11/16 inches (3.7 - 5 cm).
Identification: Both surfaces of forewing are black with white spots. Upperside of hindwing is black; basal patch is red-orange with yellow at the base.
Life history: Eggs are laid on the underside of host plant leaves.
Flight: Many flights, throughout most of the year, in South Texas.
Caterpillar hosts: Several plants in the acanthus family.
Adult food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Subtropical forest openings.
Range: El Salvador north to Mexico. Periodic colonist in the lower Rio Grande Valley of South Texas; rare stray to northern Texas and southeastern Arizona.
