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
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.