North American Butterflies and Moths List

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Butterflies of North America

Butterflies of Arizona

Coyote Cloudywing (Achalarus toxeus)
JPG -- species photo

Coyote Cloudywing (Achalarus toxeus [Plötz])

Wing span: 1 5/8 - 1 15/16 inches (4.2 - 5 cm).

Identification: Forewings are pointed. Upperside is dark brown with darker rectangular spots. Hindwing usually has white fringe.

Life history: Females lay eggs singly on leaves near the trunk of the host tree. Caterpillars eat young leaves.

Flight: Three broods from February-November.

Caterpillar hosts: Texas ebony (Pithecellobium flexicaule) in the pea family (Fabaceae).

Adult food: Flower nectar.

Habitat: Edges of river woods, city flower gardens.

Range: Panama north through Central America and Mexico to central Texas. Strays north to southern Arizona.

Conservation: Not usually required.

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.

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.

Coyote Cloudywing (Achalarus toxeus)
distribution map
map legend

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