Atala - Hodges#4268
Eumaeus atala
This record describes Eumaeus atala (species). Recorded family: Lycaenidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Distinctive color and pattern, likely aposematic . considered by FL to be a Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN)
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Papilionoidea
- Family
- Lycaenidae (Blues, Coppers, Hairstreaks, Harvesters)
- Subfamily
- Theclinae
- Tribe
- Eumaeini
- Genus
- Eumaeus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Subtropical shady hammocks and neighboring open areas; gardens with ornamental cycads.
Geographic Range
s FL including (formerly?) the Keys, Bahamas, and Cuba. Florida subspecies is endangered.
Seasonal Activity
Throughout year (many broods), most common in early summer.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Adults take nectar.
Life History
Larvae feed on Coontie, Zamia pumila , a native cycad , as well as introduced cycads. It is likely that the cycads provide toxic alkaloids that serve as chemical defenses for the caterpillar and butterfly.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Author of the species is Cuban entomologist Charles Felipe Felipe Poey y Aloy (1799-1891). The original publication is Centurie de Lepidoptere de L'Ile de Cuba (Paris, 1832, or 1831?). It seems likely Poey named the butterfly for "Atala", the Native American heroine of an 1801 French novella by Chateaubriand , Atala ou les amours de deux sauvages dans le désert (Internet searches).
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Eumaeus atala. 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 Atala - Hodges#4268 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Troy Bartlett; Additional contributions by cotinis , Steve Nanz , Mike Quinn
Frequently Asked Questions About Atala - Hodges#4268
What is Atala - Hodges#4268?
Atala - Hodges#4268 (Eumaeus atala) is a species in the family Lycaenidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Atala - Hodges#4268?
Wingspan 38-51 mm
How do you identify Atala - Hodges#4268?
Distinctive color and pattern, likely aposematic .
Where is Atala - Hodges#4268 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Subtropical shady hammocks and neighboring open areas; gardens with ornamental cycads. |
| Range | s FL including (formerly?) the Keys, Bahamas, and Cuba. Florida subspecies is endangered. |
What does Atala - Hodges#4268 eat?
The diet of the Atala - Hodges#4268 includes Adults take nectar..
When is Atala - Hodges#4268 active?
Atala - Hodges#4268: seasonal activity - Throughout year (many broods), most common in early summer..
What is the life cycle of a Atala - Hodges#4268?
Larvae feed on Coontie, Zamia pumila , a native cycad , as well as introduced cycads. It is likely that the cycads provide toxic alkaloids that serve as chemical defenses for the caterpillar and butterfly.