The Southern Dogface is a striking butterfly, easily recognized by its bold yellow and black coloring. The upper side of the pointed forewings features a distinctive “dogface” pattern, where a dark spot forms the eye and the surrounding markings create the profile of a dog’s face. The wings are primarily yellow with bold black borders. On the underside, the wings are mostly yellow, marked by a black eye-spot on the forewing and two small white spots on the hindwing.

 

“Southern Dogface Butterfly” by Ken Bosma, licensed under (CC BY 2.0)

 

Southern Dogface Facts

Butterfly Family: Whites and Sulphurs (Pieridae)

Butterfly Subfamily: Coliadinae

Butterfly Wingspan: 2 1/8 – 3 inches

Butterfly Habitat: Dry, open areas such as short-grass prairie hills, scrub oak groves, open woodland, and road edges

 

🪴 Host Plants

These are the plants where females lay eggs and caterpillars feed:

• Alfalfa (Medicago sativa)

• Clover (Trifolium spp.)

• Vetch (Vicia spp.)

 

🌸 Nectar Plants

Adult Southern Dogface butterflies feed on nectar from a variety of native flowers:

• Asters (Symphyotrichum spp.)

• Blazing Star (Liatris spp.)

• Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)

• Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)

• Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)

• Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)

• Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

• Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)

• Tickseed (Coreopsis spp.)

• Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)