Many-banded Daggerwing
Marpesia chiron (Fabricius, 1775)
Family: Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Cyrestinae
Tribe: Cyrestini
Identification: Hindwing has a long dagger-like tail. Upperside is dark brown with 3 pale brown stripes and 3 white spots near the tip of the forewing. Underside is light brown; basal half is gray with thin orange stripes.
Wing Span: 2 1/8 - 2 5/8 inches (5.4 - 6.7 cm).
Life History: Eggs are laid singly on buds of the host plants. Caterpillars eat leaves and make a resting platform with silk and dung pellets.
Flight: May-December in Mexico, probably all year in Central America, February and July-October in South Texas.
Caterpillar Hosts: Leaves of shrubs and trees in the fig family (Moraceae).
Adult Food: Nectar from Cordia, Lantana, and Croton.
Habitat: Tropical forests, openings, and river valleys.
Range: Argentina north through Central America to Mexico and the West Indies. A frequent stray to South Texas; rarely strays to Kansas and southern Florida. Comments: In the tropics this species experiences population explosions and mass migrations.
Conservation: Not required for a 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.
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Verified Sightings
Displaying 25 - 48 of 66 verified sightings
Observation date: Jul 10, 2019
Submitted by: Raul Delgado
Region: Texas, Webb County, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Jul 13, 2019
Observation date: Sep 22, 2017
Submitted by: wayne13114
Region: Cuba
Verified by: wayne13114
Verified date: Dec 26, 2017
Observation date: Jan 21, 2017
Submitted by: Doug Taron
Region: Michoacán, Mexico
Verified by: Doug Taron
Verified date: Jan 24, 2017
Observation date: Aug 05, 2016
Submitted by: ncrosbyrd
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Aug 21, 2016
Observation date: Aug 02, 2016
Submitted by: arlon
Region: Texas, Midland County, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Aug 02, 2016
Observation date: Nov 30, 2015
Submitted by: LLJohnson
Region: Dominican Republic
Verified by: Doug Taron
Verified date: Dec 01, 2015
Observation date: Dec 31, 2014
Submitted by: J_Martineau
Region: Puntarenas, Costa Rica
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Jan 09, 2015
Observation date: Feb 12, 2014
Submitted by: Doug Taron
Region: Jalisco, Mexico
Verified by: Doug Taron
Verified date: Feb 22, 2014
Observation date: Aug 12, 1975
Submitted by: stomlins701
Region: Bexar County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Nov 26, 2013
Observation date: Jul 13, 2013
Submitted by: John van Dort
Region: Choluteca, Honduras
Verified by: John van Dort
Verified date: Jul 14, 2013
Observation date: Jul 05, 2012
Submitted by: Melvin Navidad
Region: Cuscatlán, El Salvador
Verified by: John van Dort
Verified date: Mar 12, 2013
Observation date: Sep 06, 2008
Submitted by: plex1ppus
Region: Quintana Roo, Mexico
Verified by: John van Dort
Verified date: Feb 06, 2013
Observation date: Sep 06, 2008
Submitted by: plex1ppus
Region: Quintana Roo, Mexico
Verified by: John van Dort
Verified date: Dec 19, 2012
Observation date: Mar 04, 2011
Submitted by: Walt Webb
Region: Cayo District, Belize
Verified by: John van Dort
Verified date: Dec 11, 2012
Observation date: Jun 03, 2011
Submitted by: Roselvy Juárez
Region: Cabañas, El Salvador
Verified by: John van Dort
Verified date: Jun 18, 2012
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: BAMONA
Region:
Verified by: BAMONA
Verified date: Sep 06, 2010
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 15, 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 15, 2006
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Mike Overton, Paul Opler)
Region: San Luis Potosi, 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: Oct 15, 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: Aug 14, 2004
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (??????)
Region: Monroe County, Florida, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (J. Calhoun)
Verified date: Aug 30, 2007
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