WebAug 10, 2024 · The Florida atala butterfly (Eumaeus atala Poey) is a rare hairstreak butterfly characterized by satiny black wings featuring an iridescent turquois shimmer. It was thought to be extinct from 1937 -1959 due to overharvest of its host plant known as the coontie, Zamia integrifolia. These butterflies were rediscovered in ephemeral populations … WebUnfortunately, by 1951, A.B. Klots in the Peterson’s Field Guide to Butterflies said the species was "probably extinct." Everglades National Park publications report the atala "extirpated" in the 1940s. Widely believed to …
Saving the Atala Butterflies: A Success Story - Horticulture
WebAtala eggs are somewhat unusual. A close look reveals spikes sticking up from each egg. These spikes are scales that stuck to the eggs as the adult butterfly laid her eggs. Eggs are laid on clusters on any part of the plant. … WebAug 25, 2024 · Like all cycads, the coontie has ancient origins. But this Florida plant is the only cycad native to North America. It's also the preferred food source for larvae of the rare Atala butterfly. The coontie (Zamia … sm ticket center
NECTAR SOURCES FOR EUMAEUS ATALA …
The Atala butterfly, Eumaeus atala Poey, is the largest and most iridescent hairstreak in southeastern Florida. Due to the decline in the abundance and distribution of its host plant caused by overharvesting the root for starch production by early settlers, the Atala butterfly was thought to be extinct from … See more The Atala butterfly occurs naturally in subtropical Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties in southeastern Florida, although some ephemeral (short-lived) colonies have been recently introduced into … See more Adults: The adult Atala butterfly forewing cord length ranges from under 2 cm to 2.5 to 2.7 cm, which is both seasonally and genetically driven; adult size is partly determined by the quality and availability of its host plant, … See more The Atala butterfly’s only native host plant, coontie (Figure 16), is also the only cycad native to North America, and until relatively recently … See more Adults: The Atala butterfly is multivoltine (with year-round breeding), and different colonies may temporarily die out while others are erupting (growing large populations). … See more WebNov 1, 2024 · Atala butterflies, Eumaeus atala, have a single red spot on the underside of their hind wings, which partially covers their abdomen when their wings are closed. WebFeb 8, 2024 · The Atala butterfly (Eumaeus atala) and its five closest relatives in the genus Eumaeus like to display their toxicity. This sextet’s toxicity comes from what they eat as caterpillars: plants called cycads that have been around since before dinosaurs roamed the Earth and contain a potent liver toxin called cycasin. Because they are filled with poison, … smthx