White Peacock Butterfly by David Whited

White Peacock Butterfly

David Whited

White Peacock Butterfly

Digital photography

Inv: MM-1588

The White Peacock (*Anartia jatrophae*) is a medium-sized butterfly with predominantly white to pale cream wings marked by intricate patterns of orange-brown bands, black spots, and eyespot-like markings near the wing edges, along with wavy, scalloped wing margins that give it a delicate, ornate appearance; found throughout the southern United States, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and much of South America, it favors open, sunny habitats such as wetlands, marshes, fields, and roadsides, where its caterpillars feed on water hyssop and related plants, and adults fly with a characteristic slow, fluttering, low-to-the-ground pattern while feeding on nectar from a variety of low-growing flowers.