North American Butterflies and Moths List

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Butterflies of North America

Curve-winged Metalmark (Emesis emesia)
JPG -- species photo

Curve-winged Metalmark (Emesis emesia [Hewitson])

Wing span: 1 - 1 1/4 inches (2.5 - 3.2 cm).

Identification: Upperside brown with faint markings. Leading edge of forewing curved and with a white dash.

Life history: Eggs are laid under new leaves of host plant; caterpillars eat leaves and rest under them.

Flight: July-January in Mexico, October-November in South Texas.

Caterpillar hosts: Cesalpinia mexicana in the pea family (Fabaceae).

Adult food: Flower nectar.

Habitat: Seasonally dry thorn forest and subtropical forests.

Range: Guatemala north through Mexico; a rare stray to the lower Rio Grande Valley of South Texas.

Conservation: Not required for periodic stray.

The Nature Conservancy Global Rank: G4 - Apparently secure globally, though it might 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

Curve-winged Metalmark (Emesis emesia)
distribution map
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