North American Butterflies and Moths List

The definitive website on wildbirds & nature

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Butterflies of North America

Antillean Daggerwing (Marpesia eleuchea)

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Antillean Daggerwing (Marpesia eleuchea Hübner)

Wing span: 2 5/8 - 3 1/4 inches (6.7 - 8.3 cm).

Identification: Hindwing with a long dagger-like tail. Forewing with an elongated tip. Upperside brownish orange with 3 black lines; middle line on the forewing is sharply bent.

Life history: Not reported.

Flight: Throughout the year in the West Indies.

Caterpillar hosts: Fig trees (Ficus) in the family Moraceae.

Adult food: Nectar from flowers of Tournefortia, Cordia, Lantana, and Eupatorium.

Habitat: Tropical woodlands and clearings.

Range: The West Indies. Strays very occasionally to the Florida Keys, probably from Cuba.

Conservation: Not required for a rare tropical stray.

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.

Smith, D. S., L. D. Miller, and J. Y. Miller. 1994. The butterflies of the West 
     Indies and South Florida. Oxford University Press, Oxford. 264 pages, 32 
     color plates.

Author: Jane M. Struttmann

Antillean Daggerwing (Marpesia eleuchea)

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