Florida Leafwing
Anaea troglodyta floridalis
The Florida Leafwing is an endangered pine rockland butterfly whose closed wings closely resemble a dead leaf.
Florida Leafwings depend on fire-maintained pine rocklands in Miami-Dade County, where caterpillars feed on pineland croton.
Development, pesticide exposure, invasive plants, and improper fire management have left the butterfly with a very small range.
Habitat:
Pine Flatwoods and Sandhills, Scrub and Dry Prairie, Forests and Woodlands
Area / Range:
South Florida
Diet:
Caterpillars feed on pineland croton. Adults use sap, rotting fruit, and other natural moisture and nutrient sources more often than flowers.
Behavior:
Adults fly rapidly through open pine rockland and rest with wings closed, relying on leaf-like camouflage.
Day
Active Times:
Best time to see:
Warm sunny days in protected pine rocklands where pineland croton is abundant.
Florida Native Status:
Native
Conservation Status:
Federally endangered and restricted to a small, fragmented portion of South Florida pine rockland.
Safety Level:
Low Risk
Safety Information:
Harmless. Do not handle adults, caterpillars, eggs, or host plants in protected habitat.
Benefits to Property:
Its presence reflects high-quality native pine rockland and supports specialized South Florida biodiversity.
Property Concerns:
No property damage. Removing pineland croton or spraying insecticides near host plants destroys habitat.
Fun Fact:
The camouflage works best when the butterfly folds its bright orange upper wings completely out of sight.
Wildlife Laws:
Protected by the federal Endangered Species Act and Florida rules. Do not collect, harm, possess, sell, or disturb any life stage.
Identification:
Closed wings are mottled gray and brown with angular edges that resemble a dry leaf. Open wings show rich orange upper surfaces with dark borders.
Credits:
Recovery information: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Photos: iNaturalist.