White-striped Longtail (Chioides catillus albofasciatus [Hewitson])
Wing span: 1 1/2 - 2 1/8 inches (3.9 - 5.4 cm).
Identification: Hindwing with a very long tail. Wings are dark brown; forewing with large pale spots. Underside of hindwing has a long silver-white band from the costa to the base of the tail.
Life history: The White-striped Longtail has a fast and erratic flight, and perches on the upper sides of leaves.
Flight: Many flights throughout the year in South Texas.
Caterpillar hosts: Many legumes including Tephrosia, Mimosa, Phaseolus, and Rhynchosia.
Adult food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Trails and openings in tropical and subtropical forests and brush, and nearby edges.
Range: Argentina north through Central America to the West Indies and South Texas. Occasional stray to southwest New Mexico and southern Arizona.
Conservation: Not usually required.
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. Smith, D. S., L. D. Miller, and J. Y. Miller. 1994. The butterflies of the West Indies and South Florida. Oxford University Press, Oxford. 264 pages, 32 color plates. Tilden, J. W. 1986. A field guide to western butterflies. Houghton-Mifflin Co., Boston, Mass. 370 pages, 23 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.