Don Herbison-Evans (
donherbisonevans@yahoo.com )
&
Stella Crossley
.
(updated 8 July 2004)
(Photo: courtesy of F.R. Hedges,
NPWRC, USA)
This Caterpillar was deliberately introduced into Australia from its native Mexico in 1914 in a failed attempt to control the exotic weed:
A similar attempt in Hawaii in 1902 was also unsuccessful.
The eggs are laid singly on flowers of food plants. The Caterpillars feed on the flowers and fruits of the food plants, which also include:
The butterflies are blue on the upper side, and underneath are a mottled brown, with a dark spot on the rear edge. They have a wing span of about 2 cm.
Further reading :
Paul A. Opler, Ray E. Stanford, & Harry Pavulaan, The Butterflies and Skippers of North America,
 caterpillar |
 butterflies |
 caterpillars |
 moths |
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