Pieridae : Coliadinae
Zerene cesonia (Stoll, 1790)
Southern Dogface
Zerene cesonia (Stoll, 1790)
Southern Dogface
Description and Similar Species: Wingspan 56-66mm. There is great variation in the shape of the forewing (some being very pointed) and the extent of black on the base whilst on the hindwing some have extensive black edging and others do not. These differences seem to have little to do with the sex as far as I can determine. The pale-centred black spot on the forewing is however diagnostic.
Range: Found from Canada south to Argentina and in the West Indies it is found on Cuba and Hispaniola. The subspecies cynops is found on Hispaniola, and the subspecies cesonia that is found in North America and Cuba has a greater area of grey shading on the upper forewing base.
Status: Said to be commoner at the western end of the island.
Nectar Plants: Stachytarpheta, Tournefortia, Bidens and Croton and also takes minerals and moisture on damp ground.
Larval Foodplants: Larvae feed on the leaves of many species in the genus Dalea, Medicago, Indigofera, Trifolium and Soja (Hernández).
Range: Found from Canada south to Argentina and in the West Indies it is found on Cuba and Hispaniola. The subspecies cynops is found on Hispaniola, and the subspecies cesonia that is found in North America and Cuba has a greater area of grey shading on the upper forewing base.
Status: Said to be commoner at the western end of the island.
Nectar Plants: Stachytarpheta, Tournefortia, Bidens and Croton and also takes minerals and moisture on damp ground.
Larval Foodplants: Larvae feed on the leaves of many species in the genus Dalea, Medicago, Indigofera, Trifolium and Soja (Hernández).
Egg
Larva
Foodplants and Habitat
