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Banded Peacock (Anartia fatima [Fabricius]) Wing span: 2 3/8 - 2 5/8 inches (6 - 7 cm).
Identification: Upperside is brown. Forewing has cream or white median and submarginal bands. Hindwing has a cream or white submarginal band and a broken red median band.
Life history: Males patrol for receptive females. Eggs are laid on the sepals and bracts of flower clusters.
Flight: Throughout the year in South Texas.
Caterpillar hosts: Ruellia in South Texas, other Acanthaceae southward.
Adult food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Subtropical open and disturbed areas such as fields, weedy places, orchards, and second growth.
Range: Panama north through Central America to Mexico. Wanders and occasionally colonizes to central and South Texas.
Conservation: Not required for an infrequent colonist.
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
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 1999 -
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