Phoebis neocypris

Phoebis neocypris
Phoebis neocypris
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Pieridae
Genus: Phoebis
Species: P. neocypris
Binomial name
Phoebis neocypris
(Hübner, [1823])[1]
Synonyms
  • Colias neocypris Hübner, [1823]
  • Papilio cipris Fabricius, 1793 (preocc. Cramer, 1777)
  • Callidryas bracteolata Butler, 1865
  • Callidryas irrigata Butler, 1870
  • Callidryas rurina C. & R. Felder, 1861
  • Callidryas bogotana Herrich-Schäffer, 1867 (nom. nud.)
  • Catopsilia rurina ab. peruvicola Strand, 1912
  • Catopsilia rurina ab. impurpurissata Niepelt, 1914
  • Catopsilia neocypris peruviana Martin, [1923] (nom. nud.)
  • Callidryas virgo Butler, 1870
  • Callidryas intermedia Butler, 1872
  • Callidryas intermedia f. rubrofasciata Vázquez, 1952

Phoebis neocypris, the Tailed Sulphur, is a butterfly in the Pieridae family. It is native to Mexico and Central America. There is a record for one stray in southern Texas. The habitat consists of tropical areas, especially in mid-elevation forests as well as open and disturbed areas.[2]

The wingspan is 39–44 mm (1.5–1.7 in). Males are orange and females are whitish or yellowish. Both have a triangular extension on each hindwing. Adults are on wing all year round in Mexico and Central America. They are on wing in September in southern Texas. They feed on flower nectar of various flowers, including Lantana and Impatiens species.[2]

The larvae feed on fresh leaves of Cassia species.[2]

Subspecies

The following subspecies are recognised:[1]

  • Phoebis neocypris neocypris (Brazil)
  • Phoebis neocypris rurina C. & R. Felder, 1861 (Mexico to Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador)
  • Phoebis neocypris virgo (Butler, 1870) (Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica)

References

  1. ^ a b Phoebis, Site of Markku Savela
  2. ^ a b c Butterflies and Moths of North America