Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

Red-bordered Metalmark
Caria ino Godman & Salvin, 1886


Family: Riodinidae
Subfamily: Riodininae
Identification: Leading edge of forewing is arched in both sexes. Male upperside is dark brown with a postmedian line of metallic spots extending from leading edge of forewing. Female lighter. Underside of male checkered with red; female orange.
Wing Span: 3/4 - 1 inch (2 - 2.5 cm).
Life History: Adults rest by hanging from the underside of leaves. Eggs are laid singly on leaf petioles of host plants. Caterpillars eat leaves and live in a rolled-up leaf or in a nest of leaves tied together with silk. Older caterpillars hibernate, but do not survive freezing weather.
Flight: March-November in South Texas.
Caterpillar Hosts: Spiny hackberry (Celtis pallida) in the elm family.
Adult Food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Subtropical thorn forest.
Range: South Texas south through Mexico to Costa Rica.
Conservation: Populations in the lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas should be conserved.
NCGR: G4 - Apparently secure globally, though it might be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: None reported.
Comments: NULL
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