Our summer fundraiser has arrived, and we need your help!
We depend on donations to keep Butterflies and Moths of North America online and free. If everyone who uses this resource makes a donation, we could cover our ongoing costs, develop new features, upgrade the system, and maybe even remove those pesky ads. Please make a one-time or recurring donation to show your support for this valuable source of information. Thank you!
Identification: Similar to Blomfild's Beauty but there is only one eyespot, instead of two, on corner of hindwing underside. Otherwise, extremely similar.
Wing Span: 3 - 3 1/2 inches (7.6 - 9 cm).
Life History: Males are somewhat territorial and perch head downward on tree trunks to wait for females. Eggs are laid singly under host plant leaves; caterpillars eat leaves and rest underneath them. Adults fly swiftly and roost singly.
Flight: All through the year in the tropics.
Caterpillar Hosts: Trees in the nettle family (Urticaceae).
Adult Food: Rotting fruit.
Habitat: Tropical forests.
Range: Mexico to Central America. Periodically stray to South Texas.
Conservation: Not required for rare stray.
NCGR: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: None reported.
Comments: [All records from North America apparently represent misidentifications of S. blomfildia (Kendall & McGuire 1984: p. 36-37).]
National Moth Week was July 23-31, 2022!
Moths are amazing creatures. Take photographs and share your moth sightings with us to document the moths where you live. Learn more.