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Tailed Aguna (Aguna metophis Evans)
Wing span: 1 7/16 - 1 7/8 inches (3.7 - 4.8 cm).
Identification: Wings are brown; hindwings are tailed. Wing bases are blue-green on the upperside. Underside of hindwing has a narrow white median band which is blurred along its outer edge.
Life history: Not reported.
Flight: August-November in South Texas, all year in Mexico.
Caterpillar hosts: In Mexico, Bauhinia mexicana in the pea family (Fabaceae).
Adult food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Tropical thorn scrub.
Range: Southern Brazil north through Central America to Mexico. Regularly strays to the lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas.
Conservation: Not necessary for a 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:
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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