Antillean Daggerwing Marpesia eleuchea Hübner, 1818

Family: Nymphalidae

Subfamily: Cyrestinae

Tribe: Cyrestini

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.

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

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.

NCGR:

Management Needs: None reported.

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