North American Butterflies and Moths List

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Butterflies of North America

Butterflies of Northern Mexico

Tailed Sulphur (Phoebis neocypris)
JPG -- species photo

Tailed Sulphur (Phoebis neocypris)

Wing span: 1 1/2 - 1 3/4 inches (3.9 - 4.4 cm).

Identification: Male orange, female whitish or yellowish. Both have triangular extension on each hindwing.

Life history: Eggs are laid in groups at the base of host plant leaves. Caterpillars feed on new leaves.

Flight: All year in Mexico and Central America. Reported in September in south Texas.

Caterpillar hosts: Cassia species in the pea family (Fabaceae).

Adult food: Nectar from flowers including Lantana and Impatiens.

Habitat: Tropics, especially in mid-elevation forests; open and disturbed areas.

Range: Resident in Mexico and Central America. Strayed once to south Texas.

Conservation: Not required for rare stray.

Management needs: None reported.

References:


de la Maza Ramirez, R. 1991. Mariposas Mexicanas. Fondo de  Cultura 

     Economica, S. A. de C. V. Mexico, D. F. 302 pages,  67 color plates.



DeVries, P. J. 1987. The butterflies of Costa Rica and their  natural 

     history. Princeton University Press, Princeton, New  Jersey. 327 

     pages, 50 color plates.



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.

Tailed Sulphur (Phoebis neocypris)
distribution map
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