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

Glaucous Cracker (Hamadryas glauconome)

Glaucous Cracker (Hamadryas glauconome [Bates])

Wing span: Not reported.

Identification: Upperside is mottled with gray, brown, and white. Outer half of forewing is white, with no red bar in the cell. Hindwing eyespots have orange scales before the black crescent.

Life history: Eggs are laid singly along stems and petioles of the host plant. Adults perch on tree trunks head downward with their wings spread open; before dark, they gather on a single tree, then disperse to roost in nearby trees or shrubs. Males make a cracking noise when flying.

Flight: Many flights all year in tropical America.

Caterpillar hosts: Vine Dalechampia in the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae).

Adult food: Rotting fruit and carrion.

Habitat: Moist or semidesert tropical open areas with trees.

Range: Guatemala north to Mexico. A rare stray to southern Florida.

Conservation: Not required for rare stray.

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.



Scott, J. A. 1986. The butterflies of North America. Stanford University Press, 

     Stanford, Calif. 583 pages, 64 color plates.

Author: Jane M. Struttmann

Glaucous Cracker (Hamadryas glauconome)
distribution map
map legend

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