Tailed Sulphur (Phoebis neocypris)
Wing span: 1 1/2 - 1 3/4 inches (3.9 - 4.4 cm).
Identification: Male orange, female whitish or yellowish. Both have triangular extension on each hindwing.
Life history: Eggs are laid in groups at the base of host plant leaves. Caterpillars feed on new leaves.
Flight: All year in Mexico and Central America. Reported in September in south Texas.
Caterpillar hosts: Cassia species in the pea family (Fabaceae).
Adult food: Nectar from flowers including Lantana and Impatiens.
Habitat: Tropics, especially in mid-elevation forests; open and disturbed areas.
Range: Resident in Mexico and Central America. Strayed once to south Texas.
Conservation: Not required for rare stray.
Management needs: None reported.
References:
de la Maza Ramirez, R. 1991. Mariposas Mexicanas. Fondo de Cultura Economica, S. A. de C. V. Mexico, D. F. 302 pages, 67 color plates. DeVries, P. J. 1987. The butterflies of Costa Rica and their natural history. Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey. 327 pages, 50 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:
Neck, R.W. 1996. A Field Guide to Butterflies of Texas. Gulf Publishing Co., Houston, Texas. 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. Tilden, J.W. and A.C. Smith. 1986. A Field Guide to Western Butterflies. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, Mass. Tveten, J. and Tveten, G. 1996. Butterflies of Houston & Southeast Texas. Univ. of Texas Press, Austin, TX. 292 pp.