Home

 

 
Butterflies of the Amazon and Andes
Tailed Orange
Pyrisitia proterpia  FABRICIUS, 1775
Family - PIERIDAE
subfamily - COLIADINAE
Pyrisitia proterpia � Tony Hoare
Introduction
The 12 species which are currently placed in the genus Pyrisitia were originally included within the pan-tropical genus Eurema.
These smallish butterflies are characterised by having yellow, orange or white uppersides, with dark apical markings. The forewings have a strongly curved costa, and in most species have a squarish apex. The hindwings are rounded in most species, but are projected to a point in proterpia, and in the related Eurema species mexicana, xantochlora, arbela and salome.
Pyrisitia proterpia is found from the southern states of the USA to Peru, and on the islands of Cuba, Jamaica and Hispaniola in the Caribbean Sea.
Pyrisitia proterpia � Tony Hoare
Habitats
This species can be found in disturbed open grassy habitats including forest clearings, roadsides and riverbanks at elevations between sea level and about 1200m.
Lifecycle
The larval foodplant is Desmodium ( Fabaceae ).
Adult behaviour

Males are usually encountered in two's or three's, imbibing dissolved minerals from damp ground at the edge of ditches or roadside banks in lightly forested areas. Females are often seen nectaring at flowers along roadsides and riverbanks, or exploring sunny wood edge habitats in search of egg-laying sites. In the north of its range the butterfly is more abundant at the beginning of the rainy season when nectar sources are prolific; but in Amazonia it is commoner in the dry season.

The flight is fluttery but fairly rapid, and close to the ground.

 

 

Contact  /  About me

Butterfly-watching holidays

Trip reports

UK latest sightings

Frequently asked questions

Strange but true !

Taxonomy & Evolution

Anatomy

Lifecycle

Enemies of butterflies

Survival strategies

Migration & dispersal

Habitats - UK / Palaearctic

Habitats - Tropical rainforests

Butterfly world census

Butterflies of the World :

British Isles

Europe

Amazon & Andes

North America

temperate Asia

Africa

Indian subcontinent

Malaysia & Borneo

Papua New Guinea

Australia & N.Z.

Insects of Britain & Europe

Insects of Amazonia

Moths of the Andes

Saturniidae - Silkmoths

Caterpillars of the World

Butterfly Photography

Recommended Books

Glossary

Links

Code of practice

Copyright - text & images

Copyright - text & images

X

X

X

X

 

All photographs, artwork, text & website design are the property of Adrian Hoskins ( unless otherwise stated ) and are protected by Copyright. Photographs or text on this website must not be reproduced in part or in whole or published elsewhere without prior written consent of Adrian Hoskins / learnaboutbutterflies.com

Site hosted by Just Host