Pronus Longtail (Urbanus pronus Evans)
Wing span: 1 5/16 - 1 3/4 inches (3.4 - 4.4 cm).
Identification: Tails are short. Upperside is dark blackish brown; body and wing bases are iridescent green; iridescence on hindwing ends abruptly before outer margin. Male does not have a costal fold. Dark row on hindwing underside consists of separate spots.
Life history: Not reported.
Flight: April-September in Mexico; October in South Texas.
Caterpillar hosts: Not reported.
Adult food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Subtropical.
Range: Brazil and Paraguay 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
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.