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7. Butterfly Profiles
- Texas A&M University Press
- Chapter
- Additional Information
Following is a small sampling of the many species of butterflies to be found throughout the state. Some, such as the Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus franki) and the Eastern Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes asterius), can be found in gardens during the entire growing season. Others, such as the Falcate Orangetip (Anthocharis midea) and Henry’s Elfin (Callophrys henrici), can be found in only small specialized areas and for only short periods of time each year. The butterflies shown and described here were chosen because they exhibit some unusual interest, because they show the variability of the state’s insects, or simply because they are beautiful. There are many butterflies more common than some described, but space does not allow their inclusion. No scientific order was followed in the arrangement of species within this section. Instead, they are placed generally by size—beginning with one of the largest butterflies, the Giant Swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes), and ending with one of the smallest, the Western Pygmy-Blue (Brephidium exilis exilis). In a few instances, similar-appearing species have been placed near one another for easy comparison . The sets of information at the beginning and end of each description will help explain each butterfly’s life cycle. Common and scientific names: In most instances, the common names are the ones used in Kaufman Field Guide to Butter flies of North America by Jim P. Brock and Kenn Kaufman. Scientific names follow A Catalogue of the Butterflies of the United States and Canada by Jonathan P. Pelham. In some instances, secondary common names are given (in parentheses) for clarity. 7 Butterfly Profiles l 128 l chapter 7 Family: The family shows the butterfly’s particular place within the order Lepidoptera. Size: Size of each species of butterfly varies from brood to brood, season to season, and region to region—sizes given here are from actual specimens or general literature. Broods: The exact number of broods remains unknown for many species. Even with some of the better-understood species, climatic factors and geography play a major role in the number of broods produced each year. The numbers given here are according to the best information available. Flight time: First months given are when that particular species flies, breeds, and can be expected to be seen on the wing after spending the winter in some other form. Dates given in parentheses ( ) refer to butter- flies that spend part of their adult life cycle in hibernation during the coldest days of winter but can be seen flying about on warmer, nonfreezing days. They also indicate the period that particular butterflies spend the winter months in the Rio Grande Valley area. Overwinters: Resting or overwintering stages are spent in various forms specific to each species of butterfly. These are listed as egg, caterpillar (larva), chrysalis, or adult. The stage given in parentheses ( ) indicates the stage in which the butterfly spends the winter months in the warmer climate of the Rio Grande Valley area. Range: For this book, the state has been divided into seven general regions (see map): High Plains/Rolling Plains (Region 1), Grasslands /Prairies/Savannahs (Region 2), Pine/ Hardwoods (Region 3), Coastal Prairies/ Marshes/Beaches (Region 4), Chaparral Plains and Rio Grande Valley (Region 5), Edwards Plateau (Region 6), and Trans-Pecos (Region 7). The region in which both the butter fly and its larval food plant(s) can be found is given by number. The first number(s) given is where the butterfly is known to consistently breed; numbers in parentheses ( ) are where the butterflies wander or emigrate and may occasionally breed but are not known to spend the winter in any form. “Throughout” indicates the butterfly breeds throughout the state. Within each description there is a general, overall view of the butterfly and its characteristics and then the following information: Egg: A general rather than in-depth description is given here because most eggs are so small that a microscope or strong hand lens is required to examine the features in detail. Caterpillar: A caterpillar goes through several molts (discarding of outer covering) during this cycle, with some of the instars (stage between molts) often appearing quite unlike the previous one. The last instar is described here unless otherwise noted. Chrysalis: The last, practically immobile , stage of the four stages of metamorphosis before the insect emerges as a fully fledged butterfly, and often...