 |
 
 |
|
|
|
Blomfild's Beauty (Smyrna blomfildia [Hübner])
Wing span: 3 - 3 1/2 inches (7.6 - 9 cm).
Identification: Upperside of male is red-orange, female is brown; both a have black forewing apex with three white spots. Underside of hindwing has a wavy brown and tan pattern with two submarginal eyespots.
Life history: Males are somewhat territorial and perch head downward on tree trunks to wait for females. Eggs are laid singly under host plant leaves; caterpillars eat leaves and rest underneath them. Adults fly swiftly and roost singly.
Flight: All through the year in the tropics.
Caterpillar hosts: Tree Urera in the nettle family (Urticaceae).
Adult food: Rotting fruit.
Habitat: Tropical forests.
Range: Peru north through Central America to Mexico. Periodically wanders to South Texas.
Conservation: Not required for 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:
DeVries, P. J. 1987. The butterflies of Costa Rica and their natural history.
Papilionidae, Pieridae, Nymphalidae. 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
|
 1999 -
All Rights Reserved
| |