Ruddy Daggerwing
Marpesia petreus (Cramer, 1776)
Family: Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Cyrestinae
Tribe: Cyrestini
Identification: Tip of forewing is elongated. Hindwing has long dagger-like tails. Upperside is orange with 3 thin black lines. Underside is mottled brown and black, resembling a dead leaf.
Wing Span: 2 3/4 - 3 3/4 inches (7 - 9.5 cm).
Life History: To watch for females, males perch 15-30 feet above ground on sunlit trees.
Flight: Most of the year in Florida, but are most common from May-July.
Caterpillar Hosts: Common fig (Ficus carica) and wild banyan tree (F. citrifolia) in the fig family (Moraceae).
Adult Food: Nectar from giant milkweed in Florida; Cordia, Casearia, Lantana, and Mikania in the tropics.
Habitat: Tropical lowland forests and edges; hardwood hammocks.
Range: Brazil north through Central America, Mexico, and the West Indies to southern Florida. Strays north to Arizona, Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, and South Texas.
Conservation: Not of conservation concern in Florida.
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 97 - 120 of 201 verified sightings
Observation date: Sep 08, 2016
Submitted by: Boslwe
Region: Pima County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: John Saba
Verified date: Sep 09, 2016
Observation date: Jul 10, 2016
Submitted by: AJVanh.arch
Region: Martin County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jul 15, 2016
Observation date: Jun 30, 2016
Submitted by: Sherbutter
Region: Lee County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jul 15, 2016
Observation date: Jun 07, 2016
Submitted by: benphalan
Region: Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jun 13, 2016
Observation date: Apr 25, 2016
Submitted by: ncrosbyrd
Region: Monroe County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: May 03, 2016
Observation date: Nov 02, 2015
Submitted by: ncrosbyrd
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Apr 06, 2016
Observation date: Mar 08, 2016
Submitted by: John Calhoun (James Monroe)
Region: St. Lucie County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Mar 18, 2016
Observation date: Feb 12, 2016
Submitted by: mkjohns
Region: Monroe County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Feb 25, 2016
Observation date: Dec 01, 2015
Submitted by: ncrosbyrd
Region: Broward County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Dec 08, 2015
Observation date: Jul 02, 2015
Submitted by: ajijic1936
Region: Jalisco, Mexico
Verified by: Doug Taron
Verified date: Jul 29, 2015
Observation date: Jul 01, 2015
Submitted by: totonka
Region: Collier County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jul 02, 2015
Observation date: Nov 01, 2008
Submitted by: ncrosbyrd
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: May 30, 2015
Observation date: Jul 11, 2014
Submitted by: Cheri Pierce
Region: Martin County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jul 25, 2014
Observation date: Apr 12, 2014
Submitted by: Lou Feltz
Region: Collier County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: May 27, 2014
Observation date: Nov 03, 2013
Submitted by: tora_segeul
Region: Palm Beach County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Nov 20, 2013
Observation date: Aug 06, 2013
Submitted by: JKHatfield
Region: Texas, Lubbock County, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Aug 08, 2013
Observation date: Feb 16, 2013
Submitted by: Doug Taron
Region: Jalisco, Mexico
Verified by: Doug Taron
Verified date: Feb 19, 2013
Observation date: Oct 30, 2007
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Kilian Roever)
Region: Santa Cruz County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Dec 01, 2012
Observation date: Aug 25, 1983
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (R. Rice)
Region: Maricopa County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Dec 01, 2012
Observation date: Sep 04, 1990
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Jim Brock)
Region: Santa Cruz County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Dec 01, 2012
Observation date: Sep 26, 2011
Submitted by: JimConrad
Region: Quintana Roo, Mexico
Verified by: John van Dort
Verified date: Nov 17, 2012
Observation date: May 11, 2012
Submitted by: bkacker@bellsou...
Region: Broward County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Aug 16, 2012
Observation date: Jun 25, 2012
Submitted by: misael
Region: Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Jul 09, 2012
Observation date: Jun 06, 2012
Submitted by: John van Dort
Region: Francisco Morazán, Honduras
Verified by: John van Dort
Verified date: Jun 06, 2012
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