Lycaenidae : Theclinae
Eumaeus atala (Poey, 1832)
Atala Hairstreak
Eumaeus atala (Poey, 1832)
Atala Hairstreak
Description and Similar Species: Wingspan 38-52mm. Sexes similar though males are slightly smaller and have more extensive blue on the upper forewing. It has a rather weak flight and whilst there are no butterflies with which it can be mistaken there are several black and red moth species with which it might be confused so care needs to be taken.
Range: Found only on Cuba, the Bahamas and S Florida.
Status: Very local in Cuba mainly in the west as far east as Camagüey Province though it can be numerous where the foodplants occur. It is said to be found in all habitats (Hernández) but we have only seen it within forest.
Nectar Plants: Chromolaena, Bidens, Lantana and Wedelia.
Larval Foodplants: Larvae feed on the leaves of young plants of various species of Cycadaceae.
Range: Found only on Cuba, the Bahamas and S Florida.
Status: Very local in Cuba mainly in the west as far east as Camagüey Province though it can be numerous where the foodplants occur. It is said to be found in all habitats (Hernández) but we have only seen it within forest.
Nectar Plants: Chromolaena, Bidens, Lantana and Wedelia.
Larval Foodplants: Larvae feed on the leaves of young plants of various species of Cycadaceae.
Egg
Pupa
Foodplants and Habitat
