South Texas Butterfly Photos

by Will Cook

Here's a selection of images of 90 butterfly species from two trips to Texas, June 5-7 and October 13-19, 2004 (full trip list). South Texas is a butterflier's paradise! I also found some interesting dragonflies, too. All photos were taken using a Nikon CoolPix 995.

Papilionidae | Pieridae | Lycaenidae | Riodinidae | Nymphalidae 1 | Nymphalidae 2 | Hesperiidae 1 | Hesperiidae 2

Nymphalidae - Brushfoots

Libytheinae - Snouts

American Snout (Libytheana carinenta)
Mission, Hidalgo Co., TX 10/13/04.

By far the most common butterfly in the Lower Rio Grande Valley in October - seeing several thousand in a day is not unusual.

Compare with American Snout from North Carolina.

American Snout (Libytheana carinenta)
Mission, Hidalgo Co., TX 10/13/04.

American Snout (Libytheana carinenta)
Starr Co., TX 10/16/04.

Caught by a spider.

Heliconiinae - Heliconians and Fritillaries

Julia Heliconian (Dryas iulia)
Santa Ana NWR, Hidalgo Co., TX 10/15/04.

Zebra Heliconian (Heliconius charithonia)
Santa Ana NWR, Hidalgo Co., TX 10/15/04.

Mexican Fritillary (Euptoieta hegesia)
World Birding Center, Hidalgo Co., TX 10/19/04.

Similar to the related Variegated Fritillary but with the center of its hindwing is an unmarked orange.

Limenitidinae - Admirals and Relatives


	Band-celled Sister (Adelpha fessonia) Chihuahua Woods RR tracks, Hidalgo Co., TX 10/18/04.
	Mexican Bluewing (Myscelia ethusa) Santa Ana NWR, Hidalgo Co., TX 10/15/04.
	Mexican Bluewing (Myscelia ethusa) Santa Ana NWR, Hidalgo Co., TX 10/15/04.
	Common Mestra (Mestra amymone) Santa Ana NWR, Hidalgo Co., TX 10/15/04.

Charaxinae - Leafwings

Tropical Leafwing (Anaea aidea)
Starr Co., TX 10/16/04.

Nectaring on a gas station's Lantana planting at a busy intersection on US 83.

Apaturinae - Emperors

	Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis antonia) 6/6/04 - Bentsen-Rio Grande State Park, Hidalgo Co., TX. The south Texas Hackberry Emperor was formerly recognized as a full species, the Empress Antonia (Asterocampa antonia). Compare with Hackberry Emperor from North Carolina.
	Tawny Emperor (Asterocampa clyton louisa) Santa Ana NWR, Hidalgo Co., TX 10/15/04. The south Texas Tawny Emperor was formerly recognized as a full species, the Empress Louisa (Asterocampa louisa). Compare with Tawny Emperor from North Carolina.
	Tawny Emperor (Asterocampa clyton louisa) San Ygnacio, Zapata Co., TX 6/6/04.
	Tawny Emperor (Asterocampa clyton louisa) NABA Butterfly Park, Hidalgo Co., TX 10/16/04.

Satyrinae - Satyrs

Gemmed Satyr (Cyllopsis gemma)
Bentsen-Rio Grande State Park, Hidalgo Co., TX 6/6/04.

Compare with Gemmed Satyr from North Carolina.

Carolina Satyr (Hermeuptychia sosybius)
Santa Ana NWR, Hidalgo Co., TX 10/15/04.

The proper name of the species found in the Lower Rio Grande is not clear - it has been called Hermes Satyr (Hermeuptychia hermes) in the past.

Compare with Carolina Satyr from North Carolina.

Danainae - Monarchs

	Queen (Danaus gilippus) Mission, Hidalgo Co., TX 10/13/04.
	Soldier (Danaus eresimus) Mission, Hidalgo Co., TX 10/13/04.
	Soldier (Danaus eresimus) Mission, Hidalgo Co., TX 10/13/04.
	Queen (Danaus gilippus) (left) and Soldiers (Danaus eresimus) Mission, Hidalgo Co., TX 10/13/04.

Papilionidae | Pieridae | Lycaenidae | Riodinidae | Nymphalidae 1 | Nymphalidae 2 | Hesperiidae 1 | Hesperiidae 2

Comments? Questions? E-mail me at cwcook@duke.edu

North Carolina Butterfly Photos | Carolina Nature Photos

Revised 8/26/2005 cwcook@duke.edu