Tanna Longtail (Urbanus tanna Evans)
Wing span: 1 5/16 - 1 1/2 inches (3.3 - 3.8 cm).
Identification: Tails are long; body and wings are brown. Forewing of both sexes has a thin transparent median band; male also has 5 transparent spots at the costal margin. Male has no costal fold.
Life history: Not reported.
Flight: June-December in Mexico; June in South Texas.
Caterpillar hosts: Not reported.
Adult food: Probably flower nectar.
Habitat: Subtropical.
Range: Ecuador and French Guiana 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.