Tailed Aguna (Aguna metophis Evans)
Wing span: 1 7/16 - 1 7/8 inches (3.7 - 4.8 cm).
Identification: Wings are brown; hindwings are tailed. Wing bases are blue-green on the upperside. Underside of hindwing has a narrow white median band which is blurred along its outer edge.
Life history: Not reported.
Flight: August-November in South Texas, all year in Mexico.
Caterpillar hosts: In Mexico, Bauhinia mexicana in the pea family (Fabaceae).
Adult food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Tropical thorn scrub.
Range: Southern Brazil north through Central America to Mexico. Regularly strays to the lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas.
Conservation: Not necessary for a 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:
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.