Banded Orange Heliconian - Hodges#4415
Dryadula phaetusa
This record describes Dryadula phaetusa (species). Recorded family: Nymphalidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adults: Upperside of male bright orange with black stripes. Female has smeared stripes and is duller. Caterpillar is dull purple, four rows of long spines, and has two spiny horns on head. First U.S. Record: Sarita, Kenedy Co., Texas - 1933 (Glazbrook 1934)
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Papilionoidea
- Family
- Nymphalidae (Brush-footed Butterflies)
- Subfamily
- Heliconiinae
- Tribe
- Heliconiini
- Genus
- Dryadula (Banded Orange)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Brushy, open ares of tropical lowlands.
Geographic Range
s. TX (as a stray) to Brazil (BOA) - Map (MPG), also Kansas!
Seasonal Activity
July and December in Texas.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Passionvines
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Dryadula phaetusa (Linnaeus, 1758)
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Dryadula phaetusa. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Banded Orange Heliconian - Hodges#4415 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Mike Boone; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , Maury Heiman , David Ferguson
Frequently Asked Questions About Banded Orange Heliconian - Hodges#4415
What is Banded Orange Heliconian - Hodges#4415?
Banded Orange Heliconian - Hodges#4415 (Dryadula phaetusa) is a species in the family Nymphalidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Banded Orange Heliconian - Hodges#4415?
88-90mm
How do you identify Banded Orange Heliconian - Hodges#4415?
Adults: Upperside of male bright orange with black stripes. Female has smeared stripes and is duller. Caterpillar is dull purple, four rows of long spines, and has two spiny horns on head.
Where is Banded Orange Heliconian - Hodges#4415 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Brushy, open ares of tropical lowlands. |
| Range | s. TX (as a stray) to Brazil (BOA) - Map (MPG), also Kansas! |
What does Banded Orange Heliconian - Hodges#4415 eat?
The diet of the Banded Orange Heliconian - Hodges#4415 includes Passionvines.
When is Banded Orange Heliconian - Hodges#4415 active?
Banded Orange Heliconian - Hodges#4415: seasonal activity - July and December in Texas..