Antillean Daggerwing
Marpesia eleuchea Hübner, 1818
Family: Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Cyrestinae
Tribe: Cyrestini
Identification: Hindwing with a long dagger-like tail. Forewing with an elongated tip. Upperside brownish orange with 3 black lines; middle line on the forewing is sharply bent.
Wing Span: 2 5/8 - 3 1/4 inches (6.7 - 8.3 cm).
Life History: Not reported.
Flight: Throughout the year in the West Indies.
Caterpillar Hosts: Fig trees (Ficus) in the family Moraceae.
Adult Food: Nectar from flowers of Tournefortia, Cordia, Lantana, and Eupatorium.
Habitat: Tropical woodlands and clearings.
Range: The West Indies. Strays very occasionally to the Florida Keys, probably from Cuba.
Conservation: Not required for a rare tropical stray.
NCGR:
Management Needs: None reported.
Verified Sightings
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 verified sightings
Observation date: Oct 03, 2017
Submitted by: Tim Norriss
Region: Holguin, Cuba
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Oct 16, 2022
Observation date: Jul 30, 2022
Submitted by: Mark Salvato
Region: Monroe County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Sep 02, 2022
Observation date: Feb 24, 2017
Submitted by: czaplak
Region: Monroe County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jan 24, 2018
Observation date: Feb 22, 2017
Submitted by: wayne13114
Region: Cuba
Verified by: wayne13114
Verified date: Oct 11, 2017
Observation date: Dec 30, 2012
Submitted by: LLJohnson
Region: Dominican Republic
Verified by: Doug Taron
Verified date: Apr 16, 2013
Observation date: Dec 30, 2012
Submitted by: LLJohnson
Region: Dominican Republic
Verified by: Doug Taron
Verified date: Apr 16, 2013
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Sugarloaf Key County, Florida, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004