North American Butterflies and Moths List

The definitive website on wildbirds & nature




The Registry of Nature Habitats

U.S. Geological Survey


Butterflies of North America

Gray Cracker (Hamadryas februa)
JPG -- species photo

Gray Cracker (Hamadryas februa [Hübner])

Wing span: 2 3/4 - 3 3/8 inches (7 - 8.6 cm).

Identification: Upperside is mottled brown and white; forewing cell bar with some red; hindwing eyespots have orange scales before the black crescents. Underside of hindwing is white; submarginal eyespots are composed of a brown ring around a black crescent in a white center.

Life history: Adults rest on tree trunks head downward with their wings spread open. Males perch on trees and make a cracking sound when they dart out at passing insects (and people). Eggs are laid singly under leaves or sepals of the host plant; caterpillars are solitary and build resting platforms out of dung pellets. Before dark, adults gather on a single tree, then disperse to roost in nearby trees or shrubs.

Flight: Many flights; throughout the year in the tropics, August-October in South Texas.

Caterpillar hosts: Vines (Dalechampia) and herbs (Tragia) in the family Euphorbiaceae.

Adult food: Sap and rotting fruit.

Habitat: Subtropical forest and edges, cultivated areas with trees.

Range: Argentina north through tropical America to Mexico. A rare stray to the lower Rio Grande Valley of South Texas.

Conservation: Not required 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:

DeVries, P. J. 1987. The butterflies of Costa Rica and their natural history. 
     Papilionidae, Pieridae, Nymphalidae. 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

Gray Cracker (Hamadryas februa)
distribution map
map legend

Disclaimer
Return to species list
Return to Butterflies of North America main page