The American Snout is a distinctive butterfly, easily recognized by its elongated mouthparts that resemble a long snout. It is the only snout butterfly species found in North America. These butterflies have been known to migrate north from Texas when southern populations become dense, sometimes in such large numbers that they appear as dark clouds in the sky. The American Snout is a charming visitor to welcome into your garden and enjoy around your home.

 

“American Snout” by John Flannery, licensed under (CC BY-ND 2.0)

 

American Snout Facts

Butterfly Family: Brush-footed Butterflies (Nymphalidae)

Butterfly Subfamily: Libytheinae

Butterfly Wingspan: 1 3/8 – 2 inches

Butterfly Habitat: Forest clearings and edges, thorn scrub, brushy fields,  and roadsides

 

🪴Host Plants

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

• Hackberry (Celtis spp.)

 

🌸 feeding behavior

Adult American Snout butterflies primarily feed on:

• Dung

• Moisture from damp soil and leaf litter

• Rotting fruit

• Sap flows

Their preference for sap, rotting fruit, and dung is due to their shaded woodland habitats, where flowers are less abundant.