Small-spotted Flasher (Astraptes egregius [Butler])
Wing span: 1 1/2 - 1 3/4 inches (3.8 - 4.5 cm).
Identification: Tailless; wings brown. Upperside wing bases are blue-green; forewing has a few white spots. Males have a costal fold enclosing scent scales on the forewing. Underside of hindwing has a narrow yellow costal margin.
Life history: Not reported.
Flight: October in South Texas; February-November in Mexico and Central America.
Caterpillar hosts: Not reported.
Adult food: Not reported.
Habitat: Seasonal forest or scrub in tropical lowlands.
Range: Ecuador and Venezuela north through tropical America to Mexico. A rare stray 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.