North American Butterflies and Moths List

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Butterflies of North America

White-crescent Longtail (Codatractus alcaeus)
JPG -- species photo

White-crescent Longtail (Codatractus alcaeus [Hewitson])

Wing span: 1 5/8 - 2 1/4 inches (4.2 - 5.7 cm).

Identification: Tailed. Upperside is dark brown; forewing has median band of gold spots. Underside of hindwing is brown with 3 incomplete bands of dark spots and a white patch at the lower part of the wing.

Life history: Caterpillars live in leaf shelters and feed on leaves.

Flight: Many flights from April-October in Mexico; June and October in South Texas.

Caterpillar hosts: Tree legumes Amerimnon and Ichthyomethia.

Adult food: Flower nectar.

Habitat: Tropical woodlands.

Range: Panama north through Mexico. A rare stray to west Texas and the lower Rio Grande Valley of South Texas.

Conservation: Not necessary for a rare stray.

The Nature Conservancy Global Rank: GU - Unable to assign rank due to lack of available information.

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

White-crescent Longtail (Codatractus alcaeus)
distribution map
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