American Snout
Libytheana carinenta

Size:
Wingspan is 1 5/8 - 1 7/8 inches.

Similar Species:

None.

Habitat:
Open woodlands and streams with hackberries and thickets.

Range/Abundance:
Fairly common in the coastal plain and eastern piedmont. Uncommon to rare in the mountains. This is a southern species that migrates into the mountains where colonies are not able to overwinter.

Flight Period:
Adults fly from early March until mid November in two broods with a gap between broods. It is possible to see one on warm days even during winter in the southern portions of the region.

Larval Host Plants:
Hackberries including Common Hackberry Celtis occidentalis,
Dwarf Hackberry C. tenuifolia

Comments:
These erratic fliers can usually be found puddling along streams and roadsides. The long snout (palps) makes the identification easy.

In the west American Snouts can be seen by the thousands, yet in the east they tend to be seen singularly or in small numbers.

The top and bottom photos were taken along Brickhouse Road in Granville Co., NC on November 24, 2002. The second photo was taken at Raven Rock State Park in Harnett Co., NC on March 22, 2003.

Start > Species List > Snouts >

Start > Species List > Snouts >American Snout
American Snout, Libytheana carinenta
Mouse over the above image to see identification keys.
American Snout, Libytheana carinenta
American Snout, Libytheana carinenta
Mouse over the above image to another American Snout.

All images are the copyright of Randy Emmitt. Please request permission or purchase a license to use these images for anything other than personal use. Visit these links for inquiries on image licensing and CD purchases. Also visit our website at rlephoto.carolinanature.com