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Species Detail

Elf

Microtia elva H.W. Bates, 1864

JPG -- species photo

Attributes of Microtia elva


Family: Brush-footed Butterflies (Nymphalidae)

Subfamily: True Brushfoots (Nymphalinae)

Identification: Forewings elongated and rounded. Wings are black; forewing with two large yellow-orange patches; hindwing with one patch.

Life history: Males patrol all day with a slow flight.

Flight: Late July in South Texas, throughout the year in the tropics.

Wing span: 1 - 1 7/16 inches (2.5 - 3.7 cm).

Caterpillar hosts: Not reported.

Adult food: Flower nectar.

Habitat: Open fields in seasonal lowland tropics.

Range: Venezuela north through Central America and Mexico. Rare stray to eastern Missouri, South Texas, and southern Arizona.

Conservation: Not required for rare stray.

NatureServe Global Status: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.

Management needs: None reported.

Documented Records for Microtia elva



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