Tropical Leafwing
Anaea aidea (Guérin-Méneville, [1844])
Family: Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Charaxinae
Identification: Underside looks like a dead leaf.
Wing Span: 2 1/4 - 3 1/16 inches (5.7 - 7.8 cm).
Life History: Adults are rapid, strong fliers and often perch high in trees. Males perch on branches 6-10 feet above the ground to watch for females. 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, and decaying fruit.
Habitat: Tropical forest edges, trails, streamsides.
Range: Northwest Costa Rica north to Mexico. Wanders occasionally to California, Arizona, Kansas, and 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: Is a full species, not a subspecies of A. troglodyta.
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Verified Sightings
Displaying 49 - 72 of 147 verified sightings
Observation date: Oct 23, 2016
Submitted by: rchensley
Region: Comal County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Nov 06, 2016
Observation date: Nov 02, 2015
Submitted by: ncrosbyrd
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Jul 04, 2016
Observation date: May 12, 2016
Submitted by: Tommie Rogers
Region: Cochise County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: John Saba
Verified date: Jun 06, 2016
Observation date: Jan 30, 2016
Submitted by: Christinalea
Region: Texas, Travis County, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Jan 31, 2016
Observation date: May 24, 2015
Submitted by: ajijic1936
Region: Jalisco, Mexico
Verified by: Doug Taron
Verified date: Sep 17, 2015
Observation date: Nov 09, 2014
Submitted by: ncrosbyrd
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Jun 01, 2015
Observation date: Jan 29, 2015
Submitted by: Doug Taron
Region: Michoacán, Mexico
Verified by: Doug Taron
Verified date: Jan 31, 2015
Observation date: Oct 09, 2014
Submitted by: KristyBaker
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Dec 27, 2014
Observation date: Apr 10, 2014
Submitted by: KristyBaker
Region: Cameron County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Dec 27, 2014
Observation date: Apr 11, 2014
Submitted by: Harry Forbes
Region: Guadalupe County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Jun 12, 2014
Observation date: Nov 09, 2013
Submitted by: lbell007
Region: Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Jan 16, 2014
Observation date: Nov 17, 2013
Submitted by: blubayou
Region: Texas, Travis County, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Nov 22, 2013
Observation date: Nov 18, 2013
Submitted by: Sonny G.
Region: Cochise County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: John Saba
Verified date: Nov 19, 2013
Observation date: Nov 08, 2013
Submitted by: John van Dort
Region: Olancho, Honduras
Verified by: John van Dort
Verified date: Nov 10, 2013
Observation date: Jun 02, 2004
Submitted by: John Saba (John Saba)
Region: Cochise County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Dec 01, 2012
Observation date: Jun 27, 2007
Submitted by: John Saba (John Saba)
Region: Cochise County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Dec 01, 2012
Observation date: Nov 09, 2003
Submitted by: John Saba (John Saba)
Region: Santa Cruz County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Dec 01, 2012
Observation date: Jun 02, 2004
Submitted by: John Saba (John Saba)
Region: Cochise County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Dec 01, 2012
Observation date: Jul 03, 2007
Submitted by: John Saba (John Saba)
Region: Cochise County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Dec 01, 2012
Observation date: Dec 05, 2003
Submitted by: John Saba (John Saba)
Region: Santa Cruz County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Dec 01, 2012
Observation date: Oct 16, 2004
Submitted by: John Saba (John Saba)
Region: Santa Cruz County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Dec 01, 2012
Observation date: Oct 05, 2012
Submitted by: Matt Chew
Region: Maricopa County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: John Saba
Verified date: Oct 05, 2012
Observation date: Oct 01, 2012
Submitted by: Arlene Ripley
Region: Cochise County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: John Saba
Verified date: Oct 04, 2012
Observation date: Jul 01, 2012
Submitted by: John van Dort
Region: Francisco Morazán, Honduras
Verified by: John van Dort
Verified date: Jul 01, 2012
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