North American Butterflies and Moths List

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Butterflies of North America

Morning Glory Pellicia (Pellicia dimidiata)
JPG -- species photo

Morning Glory Pellicia (Pellicia dimidiata Herrich-Schäffer)

Wing span: 7/8 - 1 1/8 inches (2.2 - 3 cm).

Identification: Upperside of wing black has a faint or absent purple sheen. Underside of male hindwing has glandular oval patch near wing base.

Life history: Not reported.

Flight: October in South Texas; April-May and September-February in Mexico and Central America.

Caterpillar hosts: Wild morning glories (Ipomoea) in the morning glory family (Convolvulaceae).

Adult food: Flower nectar.

Habitat: Subtropical scrub and open weedy areas.

Range: Argentina north through tropical America to northern Mexico. Strayed once to the lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas.

Conservation: Not necessary 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:


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

Morning Glory Pellicia (Pellicia dimidiata)
distribution map
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