Falcate Metalmark
Emesis tenedia C. Felder & R. Felder, 1861
Family: Riodinidae
Subfamily: Riodininae
Identification: Tip of forewing of both sexes extends outward slightly. Upperside of male dark brown; female brown with large creamy patch on forewing. Underside of male orange with dark checks; female yellow-brown.
Wing Span: 1 1/8 - 1 3/8 inches (3 - 3.5 cm).
Life History: Eggs are laid in pairs or singly on the underside of leaf margins. Caterpillars chew circular holes in leaves, and pupate in a partially curled leaf.
Flight: July-January in Mexico and Central America, August and October in South Texas.
Caterpillar Hosts: Clematis haenkeana in the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae).
Adult Food: Nectar from Asclepias, Croton, Diodia, Lantana, and other small white flowers.
Habitat: A variety of habitats adjacent to forests.
Range: Panama north through Central America and Mexico. Rare resident in South Texas.
Conservation: Habitat in Starr County, Texas should be conserved.
NCGR: G4 - Apparently secure globally, though it might be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: Protect habitat from Falcon Dam water releases.
Comments: NULL
Verified Sightings
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 verified sightings

Observation date: Nov 28, 2022
Submitted by: jrmbutterfly
Region: Nayarit, Mexico
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Feb 27, 2023

Observation date: Dec 03, 2022
Submitted by: jrmbutterfly
Region: Nayarit, Mexico
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Feb 27, 2023

Observation date: Nov 19, 2022
Submitted by: jrmbutterfly
Region: Nayarit, Mexico
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Feb 25, 2023

Observation date: Feb 24, 2012
Submitted by: DJHiker
Region: Chiriquí Province, Panama
Verified by: Doug Taron
Verified date: Aug 01, 2014

Observation date: Feb 05, 2014
Submitted by: janazak
Region: Morelos, Mexico
Verified by: Doug Taron
Verified date: Apr 01, 2014

Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: BAMONA
Region:
Verified by: BAMONA
Verified date: Sep 06, 2010

Observation date: Oct 14, 2006
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Mike Overton, Paul Opler)
Region: Tamaulipas, Mexico
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Mike Overton)
Verified date: Oct 01, 2007

Observation date: Oct 16, 2006
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Mike Overton, Paul Opler)
Region: Tamaulipas, Mexico
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Mike Overton)
Verified date: Oct 01, 2007

Observation date: Oct 17, 2006
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Mike Overton, Paul Opler)
Region: Tamaulipas, Mexico
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Mike Overton)
Verified date: Oct 01, 2007

Observation date: Oct 16, 2006
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Mike Overton, Paul Opler)
Region: Tamaulipas, Mexico
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Mike Overton)
Verified date: Oct 01, 2007

Observation date: Oct 16, 2006
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Mike Overton, Paul Opler)
Region: Tamaulipas, Mexico
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Mike Overton)
Verified date: Oct 01, 2007

Observation date: Sep 26, 2006
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Jalisco, Mexico
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Unknown)
Verified date: Jan 31, 2007

Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Nuevo Leon, Mexico
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004

Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Tamaulipas, Mexico
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004

Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Sinaloa, Mexico
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004

Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Texas, Starr County, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004