American Snout (Libytheana carinenta)

In NC, American Snouts are found statewide and are uncommon to locally common, less so in the mountains. If one encounters snouts in the field, it's not unusual to just find one for the day. Flight data indicated they're two-brooded in NC, one in the spring and another in late summer, however they may be seen any month of the year. This is one of the few species of NC butterflies where adults overwinter and can be seen along woodland trails on warm winter days.

Snouts are distinctive among North American butterflies in having very long palps giving this species a "snout-like" appearance. These butterflies are usually seen on dirt roads or landing on people to imbibe salts. It's somewhat uncommon to encounter them nectaring.


American Snout (Libytheana carinenta) American Snout (Libytheana carinenta)
Durham Co., NC
30 May 2013

American Snout (Libytheana carinenta)
Churchill Rd., Brazoria Co., TX
22 Apr 2018

American Snout (Libytheana carinenta)
Duke Forest, Durham Co., NC
3 May 2020

This individual kept rotating around the stem to avoid my camera...


American Snout (Libytheana carinenta)
Brumley Preserve, Orange Co., NC
9 June 2023
American Snout (Libytheana carinenta)
Duke Forest, Orange Co., NC
13 Sep 2020

American Snout (Libytheana carinenta)
Hill Forest, Orange Co., NC
16 May 2023

American Snout (Libytheana carinenta) American Snout (Libytheana carinenta)
American Snout (Libytheana carinenta)
Nectaring on Pycnanthemum tenuifolium
Orange Co., NC
16 July 2003
American Snout (Libytheana carinenta)
Durham Co., NC
24 Sep 2004

American Snout (Libytheana carinenta) American Snout (Libytheana carinenta)
American Snout (Libytheana carinenta)
Orange Co., NC
8 Sep 2005
American Snout (Libytheana carinenta)
Orange Co., NC
16 May 2006

American Snout (Libytheana carinenta) American Snout (Libytheana carinenta)
American Snout (Libytheana carinenta)
Allegan Co., MI
5 July 2004
American Snout (Libytheana carinenta)
Hidalgo Co., TX
15 Oct 2004

American Snout (Libytheana carinenta) American Snout (Libytheana carinenta)
American Snout (Libytheana carinenta)
Hidalgo Co., TX
13 Oct 2004
American Snout (Libytheana carinenta)
Orange Co., NC
18 Aug 2013

American Snout (Libytheana carinenta)
American Snout (Libytheana carinenta)
Mascatatuck NWR, Jackson Co., IN
27 July 2015

American Snout (Libytheana carinenta)
National Butterfly Center, Hidalgo Co., TX
1 May 2018

American Snout (Libytheana carinenta)
Washington Co., TX
16 Apr 2018



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Created on ... July 17, 2003 | jeffpippen9@gmail.com