Butterfly, Butterflies! Caterpillar Host & Butterfly Food: Tropical Leafwing, Anaea aidea

Butterfly: Tropical Leafwing

Caterpillar Host: Croton in the spurge family (euphorbiaceae)

Butterfly Food: Flower nectar, sap, dung, rotting fruit

Scientific Name: Anaea aidea

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Posted by TexasPuddyPrint on Oct 11, 2010 8:13 PM CST:
Identification: Topside - bright orange Underside looks like a dead leaf.

Wing span: 2 1/4 - 3 1/16 inches (5.7 - 7.8 cm).

Eggs are laid singly on the host plant; caterpillars eat leaves. Young caterpillars use a leaf vein as a perch; older caterpillars rest in rolled-up leaves.

Flight: The dry season form flies from September-April; the wet season form from April-September.

Caterpillar hosts: Various Croton species in the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae).

Adult food: Sap, dung, rotting fruit and butterfly brew.

Range: Northwest Costa Rica north to Mexico. Wanders occasionally to California, Arizona, Kansas, and South Texas.

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