North American Butterflies and Moths List

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The Registry of Nature Habitats
U.S. Geological Survey


Butterflies of North America

Butterflies of Arizona

Mexican Longtail (Polythrix mexicana (=asine))
JPG -- species photo

Mexican Longtail (Polythrix mexicana H. A. Freeman)

Wing span: 1 3/8 - 1 5/8 inches (3.5 - 4.1 cm).

Identification: Hindwings have long tails. Wings are brown; forewing with 2 submarginal spots near the rear of the wing. Underside of forewing has a dark brown spot near the base. Males have a costal fold enclosing scent scales on the leading edge of the forewing.

Life history: Adults perch upside down on the undersides of leaves. Caterpillars live in leaf shelters and feed on leaves.

Flight: Many broods from April-October in Mexico; June-July and October in South Texas.

Caterpillar hosts: Tree legumes Amerimnon and Ichtyomenthia.

Adult food: Flower nectar.

Habitat: Shady subtropical forest.

Range: Peru north to Mexico. Strays north to the lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas.

Conservation: Not necessary for rare stray.

The Nature Conservancy Global Rank: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may 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.

Mexican Longtail (Polythrix mexicana (=asine))
distribution map
map legend

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