Butterflies of North Carolina:
their Distribution and Abundance

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Once on a species account page, clicking on the "View PDF" link will show the flight data for that species, for each of the three regions of the state.
Other information, such as high counts and earliest/latest dates, can also been seen on the PDF page.

Related Species in NYMPHALIDAE:
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Common NameAmerican Snout by Scott Hartley
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Scientific NameLibytheana carinenta
Link to BAMONA species account.
MapClick on a county for list of all database records for the species in that county.
DistributionDISTRIBUTION: Essentially statewide, but might be absent in a few Mountain counties. Still lacking records for a handful of northeastern counties, but likely is present in all NC counties.
AbundanceABUNDANCE: Uncommon to locally common in the upper Coastal Plain and the eastern half of the Piedmont; uncommon in the lower Coastal Plain, in the western Piedmont, and in the Mountains. It might be somewhat migratory to some parts of the state, such as the Mountains and the immediate coast, places where suitable foodplants are lacking.
FlightFLIGHT PERIOD: Apparently two broods. Adults overwinter and can be seen on warm days in winter; primary emergence begins in early March. These individuals fly to mid- or late April. The first new brood begins around early May and flies into late summer (until September?). The second brood flies in the fall and then overwinters.
HabitatHABITAT: The species is associated with hackberries/sugarberries (Celtis laevigata, C. occidentalis, C. smallii, and C. tenuifolia). Thus, it is usually seen in or near various hardwood forests. It may be found in the forest interior, such as in bottomland forests, as well as in upland forests. It may be found in quite xeric places, such as monadnock outcrops, where Dwarf Hackberry (C. tenuifolia) is found. It is also present in forest openings and edges, especially along dirt roads or wide dirt trails; however, it is not normally seen far from hardwood forests, but at times can be seen in gardens and open fields (for getting nectar).
See also Habitat Account for Rich Wet-Dry Hardwood Forests
PlantsFOOD AND NECTAR PLANTS: Foodplants are solely hackberries. The species nectars infrequently; it is usually seen perched on leaves, twigs, tree trunks, and on moist dirt. Adults feed on sap, animal droppings, moisture, etc. They also alight on humans and imbibe salts from perspiration. At times, typically in fall, they can be seen at flowers in weedy fields and in gardens.
CommentsCOMMENTS: This is an unusual species with no close relatives in NC. It is usually seen singly, often perching on dirt on a trail or road, behaving somewhat like a Question Mark, Eastern Comma, or Hackberry Emperor. It may occur in association with these woodland species. In some places with rich bottomlands, such as Raven Rock State Park and Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge, snouts can occur in some numbers. As the species is a bit migratory along the Atlantic seaboard, an observer may see a few individuals far from their foodplant trees, such as in the middle of large fields, gardens, and other seemingly inhospitable places.
State RankS5
State Status
Global RankG5
Federal Status
SynonymLibytheana bachmanii
Other NameSnout Butterfly


Links to other butterfly galleries: [Cook] [Lynch] [Pippen] [Pugh]
Photo Gallery for American Snout
Photo by: Newman, Randy
Comment: Fort Macon State Park, 2003-11-23
American Snout - Click to enlarge
Photo by: Roger Rittmaster
Comment: Durham Co.
American Snout - Click to enlarge
Photo by: Sven Halling
Comment: Jun 7, 2012, Winston-Salem, Forsyth County
American Snout - Click to enlarge
Photo by: Sven Halling
Comment: Oct 17, 2012, Lewisville, Forsyth County
American Snout - Click to enlarge
Photo by: Tom Sanders
Comment: Mecklenburg County on March 2, 2011
American Snout - Click to enlarge
Photo by: Lois Stacey
Comment: Richmond County, GA
American Snout - Click to enlarge