Klug's Clearwing (Dircenna klugii [Geyer])
Wing span: 2 7/8 - 3 1/4 inches (7.3 - 8.3 cm).
Identification: Antennae are long and orange, wings are translucent pale orange. Forewing has dark inner margin and veins. Hindwing has narrow, black outer margin.
Life history: Not reported.
Flight: All year in Central America.
Caterpillar hosts: Various Solanum species.
Adult food: Flower nectar, bird droppings, and probably other non-floral resources.
Habitat: Wide variety of tropical forest and second-growth habitats.
Range: Mexico south to Panama. Extremely rare vagrant to South Texas.
Conservation: Has not been seen in Florida since the last century.
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.
Author: Jane M. Struttmann