Costa-spotted Mimic-White (Enantia albania)
Wing span: 7/8 - 1 1/8 inches (2.2 - 3 cm).
Identification: Small; forewing smaller than hindwing. Upperside of male yellow; female pale yellow to white with black at apex and outer margin.
Life history: Not reported.
Flight: Long period in Mexico; September in south Texas.
Caterpillar hosts: Probably in pea family (Fabaceae).
Adult food: Flower nectar and bird droppings in forest understory.
Habitat: Low- to mid-elevation tropical forests, coffee plantations.
Range: Tropical Mexico; rare stray (only 2 records) to Lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas.
Conservation: Not required for rare stray.
Management needs: None reported.
References:
DeVries, P. J. 1987. The butterflies of Costa Rica and their natural history. Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey. 327 pages, 50 color plates. 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