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Desert Cloudywing (Achalarus casica [Herrich-Schäffer])
Wing span: 1 1/2 - 2 inches (3.8 - 5.1 cm).
Identification: Upperside is dark brown; forewing has scattered, small, transparent white spots. Underside of hindwing is black-brown with 2 dark bands and a mottled white marginal band. Hindwing fringes are checkered.
Life history: Not reported.
Flight: Several flights from April-October in Texas and Mexico.
Caterpillar hosts: Not reported.
Adult food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Pinyon-juniper woodland, desert grassland, canyons, streamsides, river bottoms, washes.
Range: Guatemala north to northern Mexico. Strays north to west Texas, southwest New Mexico, and southeastern Arizona.
Conservation: Not necessary for a periodic stray.
The Nature Conservancy Global Rank: G4 - Apparently secure globally, though it might be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management needs: None reported.
References:
Opler, P. A. and V. Malikul. 1992. A field guide to eastern butterflies. Peterson
field guide #4. Houghton-Mifflin Co., Boston. 396 pages, 48 color plates.
Scott, J. A. 1986. The butterflies of North America. Stanford University Press,
Stanford, Calif. 583 pages, 64 color plates.
Tilden, J. W. 1986. A field guide to western butterflies. Houghton-Mifflin Co.,
Boston, Mass. 370 pages, 23 color plates.
Author: Jane M. Struttmann
State and Regional References:
Bailowitz, R. A. and J. P. Brock. 1991. Butterflies of Southeastern Arizona.
Tucson, Ariz.: Sonoran Arthropod Studies, Inc.
Garth, J.S. 1950. Butterflies of Grand Canyon National Park. Grand Canyon
Natural History Association, Grand Canyon, Ariz.
Opler, Paul A. 1999. Peterson Field Guide to Western Butterflies, revised
edition. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, Mass.
Stanford, R.E. and P.A. Opler. 1993. Atlas of Western USA Butterflies.
Privately published, Denver, Colo.
Tilden, J.W. and A.C. Smith. 1986. A Field Guide to Western Butterflies.
Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, Mass.
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 1999 -
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