Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

Karwinski's Beauty
Smyrna karwinskii Geyer, [1833]
Family: Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Limenitidinae
Identification: Similar to Blomfild's Beauty but there is only one eyespot, instead of two, on corner of hindwing underside. Otherwise, extremely similar.
Wing Span: 3 - 3 1/2 inches (7.6 - 9 cm).
Life History: Males are somewhat territorial and perch head downward on tree trunks to wait for females. Eggs are laid singly under host plant leaves; caterpillars eat leaves and rest underneath them. Adults fly swiftly and roost singly.
Flight: All through the year in the tropics.
Caterpillar Hosts: Trees in the nettle family (Urticaceae).
Adult Food: Rotting fruit.
Habitat: Tropical forests.
Range: Mexico to Central America. Periodically stray to South Texas.
Conservation: Not required for rare stray.
NCGR: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: None reported.
Comments: [All records from North America apparently represent misidentifications of S. blomfildia (Kendall & McGuire 1984: p. 36-37).]
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Verified Sightings

Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 verified sightings
Observation date: Jun 03, 2018
Submitted by: MaynorOvando
Region: Sacatepéquez, Guatemala
Verified by: Doug Taron
Verified date: Sep 18, 2019
  Details
Observation date: Oct 17, 2006
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Mike Overton, Paul Opler)
Region: Tamaulipas, Mexico
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Mike Overton)
Verified date: Oct 01, 2007
  Details
Observation date: Aug 03, 2003
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (North American Butterfly Association (NABA) of South Texas))
Region: Tamaulipas, Mexico
Verified by: legacy.verifier (North American Butterfly Association (NABA) of South Texas))
Verified date: Jan 29, 2007
  Details

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