North American Butterflies and Moths List

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The Registry of Nature Habitats

U.S. Geological Survey


Butterflies of North America

Butterflies of Northern Mexico

Banded Orange Heliconian (Dryadula phaetusa (incl. stupenda))
JPG -- species photo

Banded Orange Heliconian (Dryadula phaetusa Linnaeus)

Wing span: 3 3/8 - 3 1/2 inches (8.6 - 8.9 cm).

Identification: Male upperside bright orange with heavy black stripes; female duller with blurred black stripes.

Life history: Eggs are laid singly on stems and leaves of host plants. Caterpillars chew slots into the leaves. Adults roost in small groups on grass.

Flight: July and December in Texas, all year in the tropics.

Caterpillar hosts: Various species of passion-vine (Passiflora and Tetrastylis).

Adult food: Flower nectar and bird droppings.

Habitat: Lowland tropical fields and open areas.

Range: Brazil north through Central America to central Mexico. Rare vagrant to Kansas and Texas.

Conservation: Not necessary for 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

State and Regional References:


Opler, Paul A. 1999. Peterson Field Guide to Western Butterflies, revised 

     edition. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, Mass.



Stanford, R.E. and P.A. Opler. 1993. Atlas of Western USA Butterflies. 

     Privately published, Denver, Colo.

Banded Orange Heliconian (Dryadula phaetusa (incl. stupenda))
distribution map
map legend

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