North American Butterflies and Moths List

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Butterflies of North America

Red-bordered Metalmark (Caria ino)
JPG -- species photo

Red-bordered Metalmark (Caria ino Godman & Salvin)

Wing span: 3/4 - 1 inch (2 - 2.5 cm).

Identification: Leading edge of forewing is arched in both sexes. Male upperside is dark brown with a postmedian line of metallic spots extending from leading edge of forewing. Female lighter. Underside of male checkered with red; female orange.

Life history: Adults rest by hanging from the underside of leaves. Eggs are laid singly on leaf petioles of host plants. Caterpillars eat leaves and live in a rolled-up leaf or in a nest of leaves tied together with silk. Older caterpillars hibernate, but do not survive freezing weather.

Flight: March-November in South Texas.

Caterpillar hosts: Spiny hackberry (Celtis pallida) in the elm family.

Adult food: Flower nectar.

Habitat: Subtropical thorn forest.

Range: South Texas south through Mexico to Costa Rica.

Conservation: Populations in the lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas should be conserved.

The Nature Conservancy Global Rank: G4 - Apparently secure globally, though it might 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

Red-bordered Metalmark (Caria ino)
distribution map
map legend

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