Northern Cloudywing
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Thorybes pylades
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Description: |
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Small butterfly measuring up to 1 7/8" in length. The upperside is dark brown with clear, small, triangular spots. The underside is brown with gray overscaling with 2 dark bands. Caterpillars are greenish brown with a black head and many light colored hairs. |
Range: |
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Widespread in North America south to southern peninsular Florida and northern Mexico; rare south of West Palm Beach and Fort Myers. |
Distribution and Abundance in Florida: |
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Habitat(s): |
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Scrub and forest edges. |
Reproduction: |
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Light green to white eggs are laid under the leaves of host plants. |
Natural History: |
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Caterpillars shelter in rolled or tied leaves and can hibernate. |
Food: |
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Caterpillars feed on leaves of host plants. Larval host plants include the native groundnut (Apios americana), spurred butterfly-pea (Centrosema virginianum), Elliott's milkpea (Galactia elliottii), Eastern milkpea (Galactia regularis), and Florida hoarypea (Tephrosia florida). Adults nectar on plants with blue, purple, pink and white flowers. |
Comments: |
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For more information, visit Butterflies and Moths of North America. |
Synonyms: |
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