North American Butterflies and Moths List

The definitive website on wildbirds & nature

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Butterflies of North America

Butterflies of Florida

Monk (Asbolis capucinus)

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Monk (Asbolis capucinus [Lucas])

Wing span: 1 7/8 - 2 3/8 inches (4.8 - 6 cm).

Identification: Upperside of male is black; forewing with a gray stigma. Upperside of female is a paler brownish black with a pale diffuse patch on the forewing. Underside of both sexes is mahogany red and black.

Life history: Not reported.

Flight: Three to four broods throughout the year in Florida.

Caterpillar hosts: Various palms including palmetto (Sabal), date palm (Phoenix dactylifera), and coconut (Cocos nucifera).

Adult food: Nectar from hibiscus and other large flowers.

Habitat: Subtropical disturbed or natural areas near palms.

Range: Peninsular Florida, the Keys, and the West Indies.

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 G. O. Krizek. 1984. Butterflies east of the Great Plains. Johns 
     Hopkins University Press, Baltimore. 294 pages, 54 color plates.

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:

Gerberg, E.J. and Arnett, R.H., Jr.  Florida Butterflies.  Natural Science
     Publications, Inc.  Baltimore, MD.  90 pp.

Kimball, C.P.  1965.  Arthropods of Florida and Neighboring Land Areas - Vol. 1:
     Lepidoptera of Florida.  Div. of Plant Industry, State of Florida Dept. 
     of Agriculture.  Gainesville, FL.  363 pp. 

Minno, M.C. and Emmel, T.C.  1993.  Butterflies of the Florida Keys.  Scientific
     Publishers.  Gainesville, FL.  168 pp.
     
Opler, P.A. 1998. A field guide to eastern butterflies, revised format.
     Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston.     

Smith, D.S., Miller, L.D. and Miller, J.Y.  1994.  The Butterflies of the West
     Indies and South Florida.  Oxford Univ. Press.  Oxford, U.K.  264 pp.

Monk (Asbolis capucinus)

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