Limenitis lorquini powelli
Lorquin's Admiral
Our southern California Lorquin's admirals were given the subspecific name powelli in the Systematics book in 1998 by John Emmel and George Austin (p.513). A distinguishing feature I can see in my photos is the extent of white vs. orange on the ventral side. Lorquin's admirals use various willows (esp. lasiolepis) as well as Prunus virginiensis (chokecherry). This species is a Batesian mimic of the distasteful, oak-feeding California sister, and in places the two do not overlap in range, lorquini loses the protection from predators is has where it flies together with californica (source).
Lorquin's admiral basking in the late afternoon sun. This was at the trailhead to Sugarloaf Mountain in the San Bernardino mountains near Big Bear. June 25, 2021.
Lorquin's admiral at Malibu Creek State Park, LA Co. April 25, 2010. These are subspecies powelli. They fly near the similar California sisters, but the orange at the wing tips reaches the outer margin in Lorquin's and appears more round in California sisters.
Lorquin's admiral sipping mud at Big Bear, San Bernardino Co. July 18 , 2005.
Lorquini at Tehachapi Mountain Park, June 28 , 2009.
Ventral of Lorquin's admiral. Malibu Creek, June 28, 2005.
Another ventral of Lorquin's admiral. Little Dalton Canyon in the San Gabriels, June 13, 2006.
A female was ovipositing on Prunus virginiensis, and Gordon Pratt was quick enough to point me to one of the leaves. These oviposit on the very tip of the leaf. Volcan Mountains Wilderness Reserve, July 11, 2023.
©Dennis Walker
