You've found the famous Dave's Garden website! Join this friendly global community that shares tips and ideas for home and gardens, along with seeds and plants!
Check out the DG homepage for a brief overview of what you'll find in this gardening mega-site.
Login
If you don't have an account yet, visit the registration page to sign up.
On Aug 16, 2006, Magpye from NW Qtr, AR (Zone 6a) wrote:
Identification: Male has elongated forewing and very short and narrow hindwing tails. Uppersides of fore- and hindwings have very broad yellow bands and no marginal rows of yellow spots. Females are black; hindwings each have 3 narrow pointed tails and blue iridescence on upperside.
Life history: Males patrol for receptive females. Eggs are laid singly; caterpillars resemble bird droppings. Chrysalids overwinter.
Flight: Many flights from April- October.
Wing span: 5 1/4 - 5 1/2 inches (13.4 - 14 cm).
Caterpillar hosts: Leaves of trees in citrus (Rutaceae) family orange (Citrus sinensis) and Zanthoxylum elephantiasis.
Adult food: Nectar from a variety of flowers.
Habitat: Overgrown citrus groves in Florida; tropical forests in central and south America.
Range: Mexico to Argentina; small population in south Florida.
