Plain Longtail (Urbanus simplicius [Stoll])
Wing span: 1 1/2 - 1 15/16 inches (3.8 - 5 cm).
Identification: Long tails; brown wings. Upperside forewing marks are indistinct or lacking. Males have a costal fold enclosing scent scales on the leading edge of the forewing. Inner band of hindwing underside is connected to the brown spot near the costa.
Life history: Not reported.
Flight: October-July in Mexico and Central America; April in South Texas.
Caterpillar hosts: Legume vines including beans (Phaseolus).
Adult food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Seasonal lowland tropical forests and associated edges and openings.
Range: Argentina north through Central America to Mexico. A rare stray 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