White-tailed Longtail (Urbanus doryssus [Swainson])
Wing span: 1 3/16 - 1 7/8 inches (3 - 4.8 cm).
Identification: Tails are short and broad. Uppersides of tails and most of the hindwing outer margins are white; remainder of wing surfaces are dark brown.
Life history: Not reported.
Flight: All year in Mexico; March-November in South Texas.
Caterpillar hosts: Not reported.
Adult food: Not reported.
Habitat: Subtropical scrub.
Range: Argentina north through tropical America to Mexico. Strays north 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.