Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

Curve-winged Metalmark
Emesis emesia (Hewitson, 1867)


Family: Riodinidae
Subfamily: Riodininae
Identification: Upperside brown with faint markings. Leading edge of forewing curved and with a white dash.
Wing Span: 1 - 1 1/4 inches (2.5 - 3.2 cm).
Life History: Eggs are laid under new leaves of host plant; caterpillars eat leaves and rest under them.
Flight: July-January in Mexico, October-November in South Texas.
Caterpillar Hosts: Cesalpinia mexicana in the pea family (Fabaceae).
Adult Food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Seasonally dry thorn forest and subtropical forests.
Range: Guatemala north through Mexico; a rare stray to the lower Rio Grande Valley of South Texas.
Conservation: Not required for periodic stray.
NCGR: G4 - Apparently secure globally, though it might be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: None reported.
Comments: NULL