White-tailed Longtail (Urbanus doryssus [Swainson])
Wing span: 1 3/16 - 1 7/8 inches (3 - 4.8 cm).
Identification: Tails are short and broad. Uppersides of tails and most of the hindwing outer margins are white; remainder of wing surfaces are dark brown.
Life history: Not reported.
Flight: All year in Mexico; March-November in South Texas.
Caterpillar hosts: Not reported.
Adult food: Not reported.
Habitat: Subtropical scrub.
Range: Argentina north through tropical America to Mexico. Strays north 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