Eumaeus atala
Eumaeus atala, wing underside
Eumaeus atala is a butterfly ( butterfly ) of the family Lycaenidae ( Lycaenidae ). The Style epithet was by the Cuban author Felipe Poey based on the novel " Atala " by François -René de Chateaubriand ( Original title: Atala, ou les Amours de deux sauvages dans le Désert ) named.
- 6.1 Notes and references
- 6.2 Literature
Features
Butterfly
The wingspan of the moth is 38-51 mm. The basic color of all wings are black-blue. On the top of the front wings, a more or less pronounced turquoise, metallic luster longitudinal field is located below the front edge formed weaker in females. The edge of the hind wing is usually a series of small bluish spots. The underside of the hind wing is fitted turquoise blue spots in the males with three rows show the females pale blue tints. Near the wing root is a distinct orange -red spot. Suited is the abdomen.
Eumaeus Minyas can be confused with the type, but is darker in overall appearance to the upper wing surface. The type populated areas in Mexico and South America. Thus, there is no geographical overlap of occurrence to Eumaeus atala.
Egg, caterpillar, pupa
The gray -white eggs are usually deposited at levels of up to fifty pieces on the top of the blade tip of the food plants.
The caterpillars have a strong red to reddish brown color and are provided on the entire body length with two rows of yellow dots, and with short, dark hair to the point warts.
The doll has a light tan color. It is covered with some yellow, translucent dots and brown spots.
Distribution and occurrence
The range of the species covers a small area in southeastern Florida, including the Florida Keys, the Bahamas, Cuba and the Cayman Islands. Eumaeus atala occurs preferentially in the sub-tropical bushland before, in the Bahamas and in open terrain.
Way of life
The moths fly in several generations throughout the year. Early morning and late afternoon they suck happy to flowers. The caterpillars live on Sagopalmfarn ( Cycas ) and Zamia species from the family of Sagopalmfarne ( Cycadaceae ), especially at Zamia floridana, Zamia integrifolia and Zamia angustifolia, Cuba also Cycas revoluta. The food plants the caterpillars take on poisonous substances that are stored in the body and thus make caterpillar, pupa and butterfly for predators unattractive. Their flashy colors provide an additional warning dar. Nevertheless, sometimes with damage to the wing butterflies are found, resulting from bites by birds and lizards. Males show haired pheromone bags ( Coremata ) on the abdomen, which are used in courtship, when they float in front of the females.
Subspecies
- Eumaeus atala florida Röber, 1926
- Eumaeus atala grayi Comstock & Huntington, 1946
Endangering
In Florida, the species has been found only in a few places, is recognized as endangered. The butterflies are probably immigrated from the Bahamas and are building stable populations. In the Bahamas, Eumaeus atala area is sometimes very numerous and not endangered.