North American Butterflies and Moths List

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Butterflies of North America

Falcate Metalmark (Emesis tenedia)
JPG -- species photo

Falcate Metalmark (Emesis tenedia Felder & Felder)

Wing span: 1 1/8 - 1 3/8 inches (3 - 3.5 cm).

Identification: Tip of forewing of both sexes extends outward slightly. Upperside of male dark brown; female brown with large creamy patch on forewing. Underside of male orange with dark checks; female yellow-brown.

Life history: Eggs are laid in pairs or singly on the underside of leaf margins. Caterpillars chew circular holes in leaves, and pupate in a partially curled leaf.

Flight: July-January in Mexico and Central America, August and October in South Texas.

Caterpillar hosts: Clematis haenkeana in the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae).

Adult food: Nectar from Asclepias, Croton, Diodia, Lantana, and other small white flowers.

Habitat: A variety of habitats adjacent to forests.

Range: Panama north through Central America and Mexico. Rare resident in South Texas.

Conservation: Habitat in Starr County, 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: Protect habitat from Falcon Dam water releases.

References:


DeVries, P. J. 1997. The butterflies of Costa Rica and their  natural history. 

    Volume II Riodinidae. Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey. 

    288 pages, 25 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.

Author: Jane M. Struttmann

Falcate Metalmark (Emesis tenedia)
distribution map
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