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Species Detail
Tropical Leafwing
Anaea aidea (Guérin-Méneville, [1844])
Attributes of Anaea aideaFamily: Brush-footed Butterflies (Nymphalidae) Subfamily: Leafwings (Charaxinae) Identification: Underside looks like a dead leaf. Life history: Adults are rapid, strong fliers and often perch high in trees. Males perch on branches 6-10 feet above the ground to watch for females. Eggs are laid singly on the host plant; caterpillars eat leaves. Young caterpillars use a leaf vein as a perch; older caterpillars rest in rolled-up leaves. Flight: The dry season form flies from September-April; the wet season form from April-September. Wing span: 2 1/4 - 3 1/16 inches (5.7 - 7.8 cm). Caterpillar hosts: Various Croton species in the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae). Adult food: Sap, dung, and decaying fruit. Habitat: Tropical forest edges, trails, streamsides. Range: Northwest Costa Rica north to Mexico. Wanders occasionally to California, Arizona, Kansas, and South Texas. Conservation: Not required for rare stray. NatureServe Global Status: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery. Management needs: None reported. | Documented Records for Anaea aidea
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