CIENFUEGOS PROVINCE - Florida Keys TREE Institute

Brush-footed Butterflies
(E) Endemic to Cuba
(CONT.)
of
Cuba
Junonia genoveva
Phyciodes phaon phaon
Siproeta stelenes biplagiata
Calisto herophile herophile (E)
Tropical Buckeye
Phaon Crescent
Malachite
Cuban Calisto
Medium sized. Common. The larva eats
Citharexylum fruticosum, Ruellia, and
Stachytarpheta.
Small. Locally common. The larva eats
Phyla.
Large. Very common. The larva eats
Ruellia.
Small. Very common. The larva eats
grasses.
CIENFUEGOS PROVINCE
Skippers
BUTTERFLY LIFE STAGES
Astraptes habana habana (E)
Cabares potrillo potrillo
Urbanus dorantes santiago
Urbanus proteus domingo
Havana Flasher
Potrillo Skipper
Dorantes Longtail
Long-tailed Skipper
Medium sized. Uncommon to locally
common. The larva eats Erythrina.
Small. Uncommon. The larva eats Priva
lappulacea.
Medium sized. Very common. The larva eats
Centrosema, Desmodium, Macroptilium
and other legumes.
Medium sized. Very common. The larva
eats Centrosema, Desmodium, Phaseolus,
Vigna and other legumes.
Habana
Pinar
del Rio
Ciudad de
la Habana
La
Habana
Matanzas
Villa Clara
Cienfuegos
Ciego
Sancti
Spiritus de Avila
Isla de la
Juventud
Eantis papinianus (E)
Pyrgus oileus
Asbolis capucinus
Atalopedes mesogramma mesogramma
Cuban Sicklewing
Tropical Checkered-Skipper
Monk Skipper
Mesogramma Skipper
Medium sized. Locally common. The
larva eats Citrus and Zanthoxylum.
Small. Very common. The larva eats
Malvastrum and Sida.
Medium sized. Locally common. The larva
eats Cocos nucifera and many other palms.
Small. Locally common. The larva eats
grasses such as Cynodon dactylon.
Camaguey
CUBA
Las Tunas
Holguin
Granma Santiago Guantanamo
de Cuba
Malachite Adult Butterfly
Choranthus radians
Cymaenes tripunctus tripunctus
Hylephila phyleus phyleus
Panoquina lucas
Radians Skipper
Three-spotted Skipper
Fiery Skipper
Purple-washed Skipper
Small. Locally common. The larva eats
grasses.
Small. Very common. Larva eats many kinds
of grasses such as Panicum and Paspalum.
Small. Common. The larva eats grasses
such as Cynodon dactylon.
Small. Common. The larva eats
Panicum, Sorghum, and other grasses.
Egg
Perichares philetes philetes
Polites baracoa baracoa
Synapte malitiosa malitiosa
Wallengrenia misera
Green-backed Ruby-eye
Baracoa Skipper
Malicious Skipper
Misera Broken-Dash
Medium sized. Locally common but
mostly nocturnal. The larva eats
Bambusa, Panicum maximum, Olyra
latifolia and other grasses.
Very small. Very common. The larva
eats grasses such as Tripogon spicatus.
Small. Locally common. The larva eats
grasses such as Panicum maximum,
Urochloa, Setaria, and Pharus.
Small. Very common. The larva eats
grasses such as Dichanthium.
TEXT & PHOTOGRAPHY BY:
MANY OF THE
BUTTERFLIES
CAN BE SEEN AT
©Florida Keys TREE Institute
a 501(c) 3 non profit organization
www.fktreeinstitute.org
CalleReal#136.PepitoTey • Provincia Cienfuegos, Cuba
TELEPHONE: (53)43545 326 • www.jbc.cu
Douglas Fernández Hernández
Marc C. Minno
This brochure became reality with the help
of our scientists & support from our "Mojito
Amigos", the Printers Printer and Graphic
Vision Creative Group (GraphicVision.net).
Swallowtails
(E) Endemic to Cuba
Third stage larvae
Nearly 200 different kinds of butterflies have been found in Cuba,
many of which are unique (endemic) [E] to this beautiful island.
Cuban butterflies are mostly of tropical affinity and vary greatly in
size, color, and behavior. Butterflies occasionally travel great
distances over the ocean and the faunas of Cuba, the Bahamas,
Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Hispaniola, and Florida share a
number of species. However, even such widely distributed species
may have regional forms (subspecies) unique to Cuba.
Last stage larva
Pupa (chrysalis)
Butterflies have complete metamorphosis consisting of the egg, 3 to
5 or more larval stages, the pupa (chrysalis), and the adult. The caterpillars (larvae) of each species eat specific plants and female butterflies
spend a lot of time searching for these plants and laying their eggs.
Although, adult butterflies are not as specific about nectar plants, they are
extremely selective as to where they lay eggs. It is very important to
include plants in the garden that are eaten by butterfly caterpillars.
Adult butterflies frequently visit flowers such as Calliandra,
Cordia, Hamelia, Heliotropium, Ixora, Jatropha, Lantana, Salvia,
Stachytarpheta, and Tournefortia to feed on nectar, but some favor
rotting fruit, animal droppings, urine, or wet soil having certain
minerals. While most species prefer open fields, others occur in
forests. Some butterflies are limited to certain habitats in the
mountains or in coastal areas.
By planting larval hosts such as grasses (Andropogon, Olyra,
Panicum, Paspalum), flowering herbs (Asclepias, Bacopa, Cleome,
Phyla, Ruellia), vines (Aristolochia, Cardiospermum, Centrosema,
Passiflora, Phaseolus, Serjania, Stigmaphyllon, Vigna), shrubs
(Capparis, Malpighia, Mimosa, Picramnia, Piper, Senna, Sida,
Turnera, Plumbago), and trees (Cassia, Citrus, Casearia, Cecropia,
Erythrina, Ficus, Lysiloma, Melicoccus, palms, Zanthoxylum), the
garden will increase butterfly populations, helping to protect
endemic species and conserve Cuba’s precious biodiversity.
Hairstreaks
Blues
(CONT.)
(E) Endemic to Cuba
Battus devilliersii
Battus polydamas cubensis (E)
Heraclides andraemon andraemon
Heraclides androgeus epidaurus
Strymon istapa cybira
Strymon limenia
Hemiargus ceraunus filenus
Leptotes cassius theonus
De Villier’s Swallowtail
Polydamas Swallowtail
Bahamian Swallowtail
Androgeus Swallowtail
Mallow Scrub-Hairstreak
Disguised Scrub-Hairstreak
Ceraunus Blue
Cassius Blue
Large. Locally common. The larva eats
Aristolochia.
Large. Locally common. The larva eats
Aristolochia.
Large. Very common. The larva eats
Citrus and Zanthoxylum.
Very large. Locally common. The larva
eats Citrus and Zanthoxylum.
Very small. Very common. The larva
eats Sida and Malvastrum.
Very small. Very common. The larva
eats Malachra and Malvastrum.
Very small. Very common. The larva
eats flower buds of legumes.
Very small. Very common. The larva eats
flower buds of legumes and Plumbago.
Sulphurs
Brush-footed Butterflies
Abaeis nicippe
Anteos clorinde nivifera
Aphrissa statira cubana
Eurema daira palmira
Doxocopa laure druryi (E)
Hamadryas amphichloe diasia
Lucinia sida sida (E)
Historis acheronta semele
Sleepy Orange
White Angled-Sulphur
Statira Sulphur
Barred Yellow
Silver Emperor
Pale Cracker
Caribbean Banner
Tailed Cecropian
Small. Locally common. The larva eats
Senna.
Large. Common to sometimes
abundant. The larva eats Senna
spectabilis.
Medium sized. Locally common. The
larva eats Cassia, Dalbergia ecastaphyllum, and Melicoccus bijugatus.
Small. Locally common. The larva eats
Stylosanthes and Aeschynomene.
Medium sized. Locally common. The
larva eats Celtis.
Large. Locally common. The larva eats
Dalechampia scandens and probably
Platygyne and Tragia.
Medium sized. Locally common. The
larva eats Serjania diversifolia.
Very large. Locally common. The larval
host plant is not known.
Phoebis agarithe antillia
Phoebis avellaneda (E)
Phoebis philea philea
Phoebis sennae sennae
Historis odius odius
Siderone galanthis nemesis
Marpesia eleuchea eleuchea (E)
Danaus gilippus berenice
Large Orange Sulphur
Orange-washed Sulphur
Orange-barred Sulphur
Cloudless Sulphur
Orion Cecropian
Red-and-black Leafwing
Caribbean Daggerwing
Queen
Large. Common. The larva eats
Pithecellobium and Lysiloma
latisiliquum.
Large. Locally common. The larva eats
Cassia and Senna.
Large. Common. The larva eats Cassia
and Senna.
Medium sized. Very common. The larva
eats Cassia and Senna.
Very large. Locally common. The larva
eats Cecropia peltata.
Large. Uncommon. The larva eats
Casearia.
Medium sized. Common. The larva eats
Ficus.
Large. Common. The larva eats
Asclepias, Calotropis procera, Cynanchum
and Sarcostemma clausum.
Pyrisitia dina dina (E)
Pyrisitia lisa euterpe
Pyrisitia messalina
Pyrisitia nise nise
Danaus plexippus plexippus
Agraulis vanillae insularis
Dryas iulia nudeola (E)
Heliconius charithonia ramsdeni
Dina Yellow
Little Yellow
Whitish Yellow
Mimosa Yellow
Monarch
Gulf Fritillary
Julia
Zebra Heliconian
Small. Common. The larva eats
Alvaradoa and Picramnia.
Small. Very common. The larva eats
Chamaecrista, Desmanthus, Mimosa
and Neptunia.
Small. Locally common. The larva eats
Senna.
Small. Very common. The larva eats
Mimosa.
Large. Sometimes common. The larva
eats Asclepias and Calotropis procera.
Large. Very common. The larva eats
Passiflora.
Large. Common. The larva eats
Passiflora.
Large. Common. The larva eats
Passiflora.
Whites
Hairstreaks
Ascia monuste eubotea
Glutophrissa drusilla poeyi
Chlorostrymon simaethis simaethis
Electrostrymon angelia angelia
Adelpha iphicleola iphimedia (E)
Anartia chrysopelea (E)
Anartia jatrophae guantanamo
Anthanassa frisia frisia
Great Southern White
Florida White
Silver-banded Hairstreak
Fulvous Hairstreak
Confusing Sister
Cuban Peacock
White Peacock
Cuban Crescent
Medium sized. Very common. The larva
eats Brassica, Capparis flexuosa, Cleome,
Raphanus, and Tropaeolum.
Medium sized. Locally common. The
larva eats Capparis flexuosa and
Drypetes.
Very small. Locally common. The larva
eats Cardiospermum.
Very small. Very common. The larva
eats Salvia misella flowers and other
plants.
Medium sized. Locally common. The
larva eats Calycophyllum candidissimum.
Medium sized. Locally common. The larva
eats Phyla and probably Ruellia.
Medium sized. Very common. The larva
eats Bacopa monnieri, Phyla, and
Ruellia.
Small. Common. The larva eats Ruellia.
Brush-footed Butterflies
(E) Endemic to Cuba
(CONT.)
of
Cuba
Junonia genoveva
Phyciodes phaon phaon
Siproeta stelenes biplagiata
Calisto herophile herophile (E)
Tropical Buckeye
Phaon Crescent
Malachite
Cuban Calisto
Medium sized. Common. The larva eats
Citharexylum fruticosum, Ruellia, and
Stachytarpheta.
Small. Locally common. The larva eats
Phyla.
Large. Very common. The larva eats
Ruellia.
Small. Very common. The larva eats
grasses.
CIENFUEGOS PROVINCE
Skippers
BUTTERFLY LIFE STAGES
Astraptes habana habana (E)
Cabares potrillo potrillo
Urbanus dorantes santiago
Urbanus proteus domingo
Havana Flasher
Potrillo Skipper
Dorantes Longtail
Long-tailed Skipper
Medium sized. Uncommon to locally
common. The larva eats Erythrina.
Small. Uncommon. The larva eats Priva
lappulacea.
Medium sized. Very common. The larva eats
Centrosema, Desmodium, Macroptilium
and other legumes.
Medium sized. Very common. The larva
eats Centrosema, Desmodium, Phaseolus,
Vigna and other legumes.
Habana
Pinar
del Rio
Ciudad de
la Habana
La
Habana
Matanzas
Villa Clara
Cienfuegos
Ciego
Sancti
Spiritus de Avila
Isla de la
Juventud
Eantis papinianus (E)
Pyrgus oileus
Asbolis capucinus
Atalopedes mesogramma mesogramma
Cuban Sicklewing
Tropical Checkered-Skipper
Monk Skipper
Mesogramma Skipper
Medium sized. Locally common. The
larva eats Citrus and Zanthoxylum.
Small. Very common. The larva eats
Malvastrum and Sida.
Medium sized. Locally common. The larva
eats Cocos nucifera and many other palms.
Small. Locally common. The larva eats
grasses such as Cynodon dactylon.
Camaguey
CUBA
Las Tunas
Holguin
Granma Santiago Guantanamo
de Cuba
Malachite Adult Butterfly
Choranthus radians
Cymaenes tripunctus tripunctus
Hylephila phyleus phyleus
Panoquina lucas
Radians Skipper
Three-spotted Skipper
Fiery Skipper
Purple-washed Skipper
Small. Locally common. The larva eats
grasses.
Small. Very common. Larva eats many kinds
of grasses such as Panicum and Paspalum.
Small. Common. The larva eats grasses
such as Cynodon dactylon.
Small. Common. The larva eats
Panicum, Sorghum, and other grasses.
Egg
Perichares philetes philetes
Polites baracoa baracoa
Synapte malitiosa malitiosa
Wallengrenia misera
Green-backed Ruby-eye
Baracoa Skipper
Malicious Skipper
Misera Broken-Dash
Medium sized. Locally common but
mostly nocturnal. The larva eats
Bambusa, Panicum maximum, Olyra
latifolia and other grasses.
Very small. Very common. The larva
eats grasses such as Tripogon spicatus.
Small. Locally common. The larva eats
grasses such as Panicum maximum,
Urochloa, Setaria, and Pharus.
Small. Very common. The larva eats
grasses such as Dichanthium.
TEXT & PHOTOGRAPHY BY:
MANY OF THE
BUTTERFLIES
CAN BE SEEN AT
©Florida Keys TREE Institute
a 501(c) 3 non profit organization
www.fktreeinstitute.org
CalleReal#136.PepitoTey • Provincia Cienfuegos, Cuba
TELEPHONE: (53)43545 326 • www.jbc.cu
Douglas Fernández Hernández
Marc C. Minno
This brochure became reality with the help
of our scientists & support from our "Mojito
Amigos", the Printers Printer and Graphic
Vision Creative Group (GraphicVision.net).
Swallowtails
(E) Endemic to Cuba
Third stage larvae
Nearly 200 different kinds of butterflies have been found in Cuba,
many of which are unique (endemic) [E] to this beautiful island.
Cuban butterflies are mostly of tropical affinity and vary greatly in
size, color, and behavior. Butterflies occasionally travel great
distances over the ocean and the faunas of Cuba, the Bahamas,
Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Hispaniola, and Florida share a
number of species. However, even such widely distributed species
may have regional forms (subspecies) unique to Cuba.
Last stage larva
Pupa (chrysalis)
Butterflies have complete metamorphosis consisting of the egg, 3 to
5 or more larval stages, the pupa (chrysalis), and the adult. The caterpillars (larvae) of each species eat specific plants and female butterflies
spend a lot of time searching for these plants and laying their eggs.
Although, adult butterflies are not as specific about nectar plants, they are
extremely selective as to where they lay eggs. It is very important to
include plants in the garden that are eaten by butterfly caterpillars.
Adult butterflies frequently visit flowers such as Calliandra,
Cordia, Hamelia, Heliotropium, Ixora, Jatropha, Lantana, Salvia,
Stachytarpheta, and Tournefortia to feed on nectar, but some favor
rotting fruit, animal droppings, urine, or wet soil having certain
minerals. While most species prefer open fields, others occur in
forests. Some butterflies are limited to certain habitats in the
mountains or in coastal areas.
By planting larval hosts such as grasses (Andropogon, Olyra,
Panicum, Paspalum), flowering herbs (Asclepias, Bacopa, Cleome,
Phyla, Ruellia), vines (Aristolochia, Cardiospermum, Centrosema,
Passiflora, Phaseolus, Serjania, Stigmaphyllon, Vigna), shrubs
(Capparis, Malpighia, Mimosa, Picramnia, Piper, Senna, Sida,
Turnera, Plumbago), and trees (Cassia, Citrus, Casearia, Cecropia,
Erythrina, Ficus, Lysiloma, Melicoccus, palms, Zanthoxylum), the
garden will increase butterfly populations, helping to protect
endemic species and conserve Cuba’s precious biodiversity.
Hairstreaks
Blues
(CONT.)
(E) Endemic to Cuba
Battus devilliersii
Battus polydamas cubensis (E)
Heraclides andraemon andraemon
Heraclides androgeus epidaurus
Strymon istapa cybira
Strymon limenia
Hemiargus ceraunus filenus
Leptotes cassius theonus
De Villier’s Swallowtail
Polydamas Swallowtail
Bahamian Swallowtail
Androgeus Swallowtail
Mallow Scrub-Hairstreak
Disguised Scrub-Hairstreak
Ceraunus Blue
Cassius Blue
Large. Locally common. The larva eats
Aristolochia.
Large. Locally common. The larva eats
Aristolochia.
Large. Very common. The larva eats
Citrus and Zanthoxylum.
Very large. Locally common. The larva
eats Citrus and Zanthoxylum.
Very small. Very common. The larva
eats Sida and Malvastrum.
Very small. Very common. The larva
eats Malachra and Malvastrum.
Very small. Very common. The larva
eats flower buds of legumes.
Very small. Very common. The larva eats
flower buds of legumes and Plumbago.
Sulphurs
Brush-footed Butterflies
Abaeis nicippe
Anteos clorinde nivifera
Aphrissa statira cubana
Eurema daira palmira
Doxocopa laure druryi (E)
Hamadryas amphichloe diasia
Lucinia sida sida (E)
Historis acheronta semele
Sleepy Orange
White Angled-Sulphur
Statira Sulphur
Barred Yellow
Silver Emperor
Pale Cracker
Caribbean Banner
Tailed Cecropian
Small. Locally common. The larva eats
Senna.
Large. Common to sometimes
abundant. The larva eats Senna
spectabilis.
Medium sized. Locally common. The
larva eats Cassia, Dalbergia ecastaphyllum, and Melicoccus bijugatus.
Small. Locally common. The larva eats
Stylosanthes and Aeschynomene.
Medium sized. Locally common. The
larva eats Celtis.
Large. Locally common. The larva eats
Dalechampia scandens and probably
Platygyne and Tragia.
Medium sized. Locally common. The
larva eats Serjania diversifolia.
Very large. Locally common. The larval
host plant is not known.
Phoebis agarithe antillia
Phoebis avellaneda (E)
Phoebis philea philea
Phoebis sennae sennae
Historis odius odius
Siderone galanthis nemesis
Marpesia eleuchea eleuchea (E)
Danaus gilippus berenice
Large Orange Sulphur
Orange-washed Sulphur
Orange-barred Sulphur
Cloudless Sulphur
Orion Cecropian
Red-and-black Leafwing
Caribbean Daggerwing
Queen
Large. Common. The larva eats
Pithecellobium and Lysiloma
latisiliquum.
Large. Locally common. The larva eats
Cassia and Senna.
Large. Common. The larva eats Cassia
and Senna.
Medium sized. Very common. The larva
eats Cassia and Senna.
Very large. Locally common. The larva
eats Cecropia peltata.
Large. Uncommon. The larva eats
Casearia.
Medium sized. Common. The larva eats
Ficus.
Large. Common. The larva eats
Asclepias, Calotropis procera, Cynanchum
and Sarcostemma clausum.
Pyrisitia dina dina (E)
Pyrisitia lisa euterpe
Pyrisitia messalina
Pyrisitia nise nise
Danaus plexippus plexippus
Agraulis vanillae insularis
Dryas iulia nudeola (E)
Heliconius charithonia ramsdeni
Dina Yellow
Little Yellow
Whitish Yellow
Mimosa Yellow
Monarch
Gulf Fritillary
Julia
Zebra Heliconian
Small. Common. The larva eats
Alvaradoa and Picramnia.
Small. Very common. The larva eats
Chamaecrista, Desmanthus, Mimosa
and Neptunia.
Small. Locally common. The larva eats
Senna.
Small. Very common. The larva eats
Mimosa.
Large. Sometimes common. The larva
eats Asclepias and Calotropis procera.
Large. Very common. The larva eats
Passiflora.
Large. Common. The larva eats
Passiflora.
Large. Common. The larva eats
Passiflora.
Whites
Hairstreaks
Ascia monuste eubotea
Glutophrissa drusilla poeyi
Chlorostrymon simaethis simaethis
Electrostrymon angelia angelia
Adelpha iphicleola iphimedia (E)
Anartia chrysopelea (E)
Anartia jatrophae guantanamo
Anthanassa frisia frisia
Great Southern White
Florida White
Silver-banded Hairstreak
Fulvous Hairstreak
Confusing Sister
Cuban Peacock
White Peacock
Cuban Crescent
Medium sized. Very common. The larva
eats Brassica, Capparis flexuosa, Cleome,
Raphanus, and Tropaeolum.
Medium sized. Locally common. The
larva eats Capparis flexuosa and
Drypetes.
Very small. Locally common. The larva
eats Cardiospermum.
Very small. Very common. The larva
eats Salvia misella flowers and other
plants.
Medium sized. Locally common. The
larva eats Calycophyllum candidissimum.
Medium sized. Locally common. The larva
eats Phyla and probably Ruellia.
Medium sized. Very common. The larva
eats Bacopa monnieri, Phyla, and
Ruellia.
Small. Common. The larva eats Ruellia.
Brush-footed Butterflies
(E) Endemic to Cuba
(CONT.)
of
Cuba
Junonia genoveva
Phyciodes phaon phaon
Siproeta stelenes biplagiata
Calisto herophile herophile (E)
Tropical Buckeye
Phaon Crescent
Malachite
Cuban Calisto
Medium sized. Common. The larva eats
Citharexylum fruticosum, Ruellia, and
Stachytarpheta.
Small. Locally common. The larva eats
Phyla.
Large. Very common. The larva eats
Ruellia.
Small. Very common. The larva eats
grasses.
CIENFUEGOS PROVINCE
Skippers
BUTTERFLY LIFE STAGES
Astraptes habana habana (E)
Cabares potrillo potrillo
Urbanus dorantes santiago
Urbanus proteus domingo
Havana Flasher
Potrillo Skipper
Dorantes Longtail
Long-tailed Skipper
Medium sized. Uncommon to locally
common. The larva eats Erythrina.
Small. Uncommon. The larva eats Priva
lappulacea.
Medium sized. Very common. The larva eats
Centrosema, Desmodium, Macroptilium
and other legumes.
Medium sized. Very common. The larva
eats Centrosema, Desmodium, Phaseolus,
Vigna and other legumes.
Habana
Pinar
del Rio
Ciudad de
la Habana
La
Habana
Matanzas
Villa Clara
Cienfuegos
Ciego
Sancti
Spiritus de Avila
Isla de la
Juventud
Eantis papinianus (E)
Pyrgus oileus
Asbolis capucinus
Atalopedes mesogramma mesogramma
Cuban Sicklewing
Tropical Checkered-Skipper
Monk Skipper
Mesogramma Skipper
Medium sized. Locally common. The
larva eats Citrus and Zanthoxylum.
Small. Very common. The larva eats
Malvastrum and Sida.
Medium sized. Locally common. The larva
eats Cocos nucifera and many other palms.
Small. Locally common. The larva eats
grasses such as Cynodon dactylon.
Camaguey
CUBA
Las Tunas
Holguin
Granma Santiago Guantanamo
de Cuba
Malachite Adult Butterfly
Choranthus radians
Cymaenes tripunctus tripunctus
Hylephila phyleus phyleus
Panoquina lucas
Radians Skipper
Three-spotted Skipper
Fiery Skipper
Purple-washed Skipper
Small. Locally common. The larva eats
grasses.
Small. Very common. Larva eats many kinds
of grasses such as Panicum and Paspalum.
Small. Common. The larva eats grasses
such as Cynodon dactylon.
Small. Common. The larva eats
Panicum, Sorghum, and other grasses.
Egg
Perichares philetes philetes
Polites baracoa baracoa
Synapte malitiosa malitiosa
Wallengrenia misera
Green-backed Ruby-eye
Baracoa Skipper
Malicious Skipper
Misera Broken-Dash
Medium sized. Locally common but
mostly nocturnal. The larva eats
Bambusa, Panicum maximum, Olyra
latifolia and other grasses.
Very small. Very common. The larva
eats grasses such as Tripogon spicatus.
Small. Locally common. The larva eats
grasses such as Panicum maximum,
Urochloa, Setaria, and Pharus.
Small. Very common. The larva eats
grasses such as Dichanthium.
TEXT & PHOTOGRAPHY BY:
MANY OF THE
BUTTERFLIES
CAN BE SEEN AT
©Florida Keys TREE Institute
a 501(c) 3 non profit organization
www.fktreeinstitute.org
CalleReal#136.PepitoTey • Provincia Cienfuegos, Cuba
TELEPHONE: (53)43545 326 • www.jbc.cu
Douglas Fernández Hernández
Marc C. Minno
This brochure became reality with the help
of our scientists & support from our "Mojito
Amigos", the Printers Printer and Graphic
Vision Creative Group (GraphicVision.net).
Swallowtails
(E) Endemic to Cuba
Third stage larvae
Nearly 200 different kinds of butterflies have been found in Cuba,
many of which are unique (endemic) [E] to this beautiful island.
Cuban butterflies are mostly of tropical affinity and vary greatly in
size, color, and behavior. Butterflies occasionally travel great
distances over the ocean and the faunas of Cuba, the Bahamas,
Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Hispaniola, and Florida share a
number of species. However, even such widely distributed species
may have regional forms (subspecies) unique to Cuba.
Last stage larva
Pupa (chrysalis)
Butterflies have complete metamorphosis consisting of the egg, 3 to
5 or more larval stages, the pupa (chrysalis), and the adult. The caterpillars (larvae) of each species eat specific plants and female butterflies
spend a lot of time searching for these plants and laying their eggs.
Although, adult butterflies are not as specific about nectar plants, they are
extremely selective as to where they lay eggs. It is very important to
include plants in the garden that are eaten by butterfly caterpillars.
Adult butterflies frequently visit flowers such as Calliandra,
Cordia, Hamelia, Heliotropium, Ixora, Jatropha, Lantana, Salvia,
Stachytarpheta, and Tournefortia to feed on nectar, but some favor
rotting fruit, animal droppings, urine, or wet soil having certain
minerals. While most species prefer open fields, others occur in
forests. Some butterflies are limited to certain habitats in the
mountains or in coastal areas.
By planting larval hosts such as grasses (Andropogon, Olyra,
Panicum, Paspalum), flowering herbs (Asclepias, Bacopa, Cleome,
Phyla, Ruellia), vines (Aristolochia, Cardiospermum, Centrosema,
Passiflora, Phaseolus, Serjania, Stigmaphyllon, Vigna), shrubs
(Capparis, Malpighia, Mimosa, Picramnia, Piper, Senna, Sida,
Turnera, Plumbago), and trees (Cassia, Citrus, Casearia, Cecropia,
Erythrina, Ficus, Lysiloma, Melicoccus, palms, Zanthoxylum), the
garden will increase butterfly populations, helping to protect
endemic species and conserve Cuba’s precious biodiversity.
Hairstreaks
Blues
(CONT.)
(E) Endemic to Cuba
Battus devilliersii
Battus polydamas cubensis (E)
Heraclides andraemon andraemon
Heraclides androgeus epidaurus
Strymon istapa cybira
Strymon limenia
Hemiargus ceraunus filenus
Leptotes cassius theonus
De Villier’s Swallowtail
Polydamas Swallowtail
Bahamian Swallowtail
Androgeus Swallowtail
Mallow Scrub-Hairstreak
Disguised Scrub-Hairstreak
Ceraunus Blue
Cassius Blue
Large. Locally common. The larva eats
Aristolochia.
Large. Locally common. The larva eats
Aristolochia.
Large. Very common. The larva eats
Citrus and Zanthoxylum.
Very large. Locally common. The larva
eats Citrus and Zanthoxylum.
Very small. Very common. The larva
eats Sida and Malvastrum.
Very small. Very common. The larva
eats Malachra and Malvastrum.
Very small. Very common. The larva
eats flower buds of legumes.
Very small. Very common. The larva eats
flower buds of legumes and Plumbago.
Sulphurs
Brush-footed Butterflies
Abaeis nicippe
Anteos clorinde nivifera
Aphrissa statira cubana
Eurema daira palmira
Doxocopa laure druryi (E)
Hamadryas amphichloe diasia
Lucinia sida sida (E)
Historis acheronta semele
Sleepy Orange
White Angled-Sulphur
Statira Sulphur
Barred Yellow
Silver Emperor
Pale Cracker
Caribbean Banner
Tailed Cecropian
Small. Locally common. The larva eats
Senna.
Large. Common to sometimes
abundant. The larva eats Senna
spectabilis.
Medium sized. Locally common. The
larva eats Cassia, Dalbergia ecastaphyllum, and Melicoccus bijugatus.
Small. Locally common. The larva eats
Stylosanthes and Aeschynomene.
Medium sized. Locally common. The
larva eats Celtis.
Large. Locally common. The larva eats
Dalechampia scandens and probably
Platygyne and Tragia.
Medium sized. Locally common. The
larva eats Serjania diversifolia.
Very large. Locally common. The larval
host plant is not known.
Phoebis agarithe antillia
Phoebis avellaneda (E)
Phoebis philea philea
Phoebis sennae sennae
Historis odius odius
Siderone galanthis nemesis
Marpesia eleuchea eleuchea (E)
Danaus gilippus berenice
Large Orange Sulphur
Orange-washed Sulphur
Orange-barred Sulphur
Cloudless Sulphur
Orion Cecropian
Red-and-black Leafwing
Caribbean Daggerwing
Queen
Large. Common. The larva eats
Pithecellobium and Lysiloma
latisiliquum.
Large. Locally common. The larva eats
Cassia and Senna.
Large. Common. The larva eats Cassia
and Senna.
Medium sized. Very common. The larva
eats Cassia and Senna.
Very large. Locally common. The larva
eats Cecropia peltata.
Large. Uncommon. The larva eats
Casearia.
Medium sized. Common. The larva eats
Ficus.
Large. Common. The larva eats
Asclepias, Calotropis procera, Cynanchum
and Sarcostemma clausum.
Pyrisitia dina dina (E)
Pyrisitia lisa euterpe
Pyrisitia messalina
Pyrisitia nise nise
Danaus plexippus plexippus
Agraulis vanillae insularis
Dryas iulia nudeola (E)
Heliconius charithonia ramsdeni
Dina Yellow
Little Yellow
Whitish Yellow
Mimosa Yellow
Monarch
Gulf Fritillary
Julia
Zebra Heliconian
Small. Common. The larva eats
Alvaradoa and Picramnia.
Small. Very common. The larva eats
Chamaecrista, Desmanthus, Mimosa
and Neptunia.
Small. Locally common. The larva eats
Senna.
Small. Very common. The larva eats
Mimosa.
Large. Sometimes common. The larva
eats Asclepias and Calotropis procera.
Large. Very common. The larva eats
Passiflora.
Large. Common. The larva eats
Passiflora.
Large. Common. The larva eats
Passiflora.
Whites
Hairstreaks
Ascia monuste eubotea
Glutophrissa drusilla poeyi
Chlorostrymon simaethis simaethis
Electrostrymon angelia angelia
Adelpha iphicleola iphimedia (E)
Anartia chrysopelea (E)
Anartia jatrophae guantanamo
Anthanassa frisia frisia
Great Southern White
Florida White
Silver-banded Hairstreak
Fulvous Hairstreak
Confusing Sister
Cuban Peacock
White Peacock
Cuban Crescent
Medium sized. Very common. The larva
eats Brassica, Capparis flexuosa, Cleome,
Raphanus, and Tropaeolum.
Medium sized. Locally common. The
larva eats Capparis flexuosa and
Drypetes.
Very small. Locally common. The larva
eats Cardiospermum.
Very small. Very common. The larva
eats Salvia misella flowers and other
plants.
Medium sized. Locally common. The
larva eats Calycophyllum candidissimum.
Medium sized. Locally common. The larva
eats Phyla and probably Ruellia.
Medium sized. Very common. The larva
eats Bacopa monnieri, Phyla, and
Ruellia.
Small. Common. The larva eats Ruellia.
Brush-footed Butterflies
(E) Endemic to Cuba
(CONT.)
of
Cuba
Junonia genoveva
Phyciodes phaon phaon
Siproeta stelenes biplagiata
Calisto herophile herophile (E)
Tropical Buckeye
Phaon Crescent
Malachite
Cuban Calisto
Medium sized. Common. The larva eats
Citharexylum fruticosum, Ruellia, and
Stachytarpheta.
Small. Locally common. The larva eats
Phyla.
Large. Very common. The larva eats
Ruellia.
Small. Very common. The larva eats
grasses.
CIENFUEGOS PROVINCE
Skippers
BUTTERFLY LIFE STAGES
Astraptes habana habana (E)
Cabares potrillo potrillo
Urbanus dorantes santiago
Urbanus proteus domingo
Havana Flasher
Potrillo Skipper
Dorantes Longtail
Long-tailed Skipper
Medium sized. Uncommon to locally
common. The larva eats Erythrina.
Small. Uncommon. The larva eats Priva
lappulacea.
Medium sized. Very common. The larva eats
Centrosema, Desmodium, Macroptilium
and other legumes.
Medium sized. Very common. The larva
eats Centrosema, Desmodium, Phaseolus,
Vigna and other legumes.
Habana
Pinar
del Rio
Ciudad de
la Habana
La
Habana
Matanzas
Villa Clara
Cienfuegos
Ciego
Sancti
Spiritus de Avila
Isla de la
Juventud
Eantis papinianus (E)
Pyrgus oileus
Asbolis capucinus
Atalopedes mesogramma mesogramma
Cuban Sicklewing
Tropical Checkered-Skipper
Monk Skipper
Mesogramma Skipper
Medium sized. Locally common. The
larva eats Citrus and Zanthoxylum.
Small. Very common. The larva eats
Malvastrum and Sida.
Medium sized. Locally common. The larva
eats Cocos nucifera and many other palms.
Small. Locally common. The larva eats
grasses such as Cynodon dactylon.
Camaguey
CUBA
Las Tunas
Holguin
Granma Santiago Guantanamo
de Cuba
Malachite Adult Butterfly
Choranthus radians
Cymaenes tripunctus tripunctus
Hylephila phyleus phyleus
Panoquina lucas
Radians Skipper
Three-spotted Skipper
Fiery Skipper
Purple-washed Skipper
Small. Locally common. The larva eats
grasses.
Small. Very common. Larva eats many kinds
of grasses such as Panicum and Paspalum.
Small. Common. The larva eats grasses
such as Cynodon dactylon.
Small. Common. The larva eats
Panicum, Sorghum, and other grasses.
Egg
Perichares philetes philetes
Polites baracoa baracoa
Synapte malitiosa malitiosa
Wallengrenia misera
Green-backed Ruby-eye
Baracoa Skipper
Malicious Skipper
Misera Broken-Dash
Medium sized. Locally common but
mostly nocturnal. The larva eats
Bambusa, Panicum maximum, Olyra
latifolia and other grasses.
Very small. Very common. The larva
eats grasses such as Tripogon spicatus.
Small. Locally common. The larva eats
grasses such as Panicum maximum,
Urochloa, Setaria, and Pharus.
Small. Very common. The larva eats
grasses such as Dichanthium.
TEXT & PHOTOGRAPHY BY:
MANY OF THE
BUTTERFLIES
CAN BE SEEN AT
©Florida Keys TREE Institute
a 501(c) 3 non profit organization
www.fktreeinstitute.org
CalleReal#136.PepitoTey • Provincia Cienfuegos, Cuba
TELEPHONE: (53)43545 326 • www.jbc.cu
Douglas Fernández Hernández
Marc C. Minno
This brochure became reality with the help
of our scientists & support from our "Mojito
Amigos", the Printers Printer and Graphic
Vision Creative Group (GraphicVision.net).
Swallowtails
(E) Endemic to Cuba
Third stage larvae
Nearly 200 different kinds of butterflies have been found in Cuba,
many of which are unique (endemic) [E] to this beautiful island.
Cuban butterflies are mostly of tropical affinity and vary greatly in
size, color, and behavior. Butterflies occasionally travel great
distances over the ocean and the faunas of Cuba, the Bahamas,
Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Hispaniola, and Florida share a
number of species. However, even such widely distributed species
may have regional forms (subspecies) unique to Cuba.
Last stage larva
Pupa (chrysalis)
Butterflies have complete metamorphosis consisting of the egg, 3 to
5 or more larval stages, the pupa (chrysalis), and the adult. The caterpillars (larvae) of each species eat specific plants and female butterflies
spend a lot of time searching for these plants and laying their eggs.
Although, adult butterflies are not as specific about nectar plants, they are
extremely selective as to where they lay eggs. It is very important to
include plants in the garden that are eaten by butterfly caterpillars.
Adult butterflies frequently visit flowers such as Calliandra,
Cordia, Hamelia, Heliotropium, Ixora, Jatropha, Lantana, Salvia,
Stachytarpheta, and Tournefortia to feed on nectar, but some favor
rotting fruit, animal droppings, urine, or wet soil having certain
minerals. While most species prefer open fields, others occur in
forests. Some butterflies are limited to certain habitats in the
mountains or in coastal areas.
By planting larval hosts such as grasses (Andropogon, Olyra,
Panicum, Paspalum), flowering herbs (Asclepias, Bacopa, Cleome,
Phyla, Ruellia), vines (Aristolochia, Cardiospermum, Centrosema,
Passiflora, Phaseolus, Serjania, Stigmaphyllon, Vigna), shrubs
(Capparis, Malpighia, Mimosa, Picramnia, Piper, Senna, Sida,
Turnera, Plumbago), and trees (Cassia, Citrus, Casearia, Cecropia,
Erythrina, Ficus, Lysiloma, Melicoccus, palms, Zanthoxylum), the
garden will increase butterfly populations, helping to protect
endemic species and conserve Cuba’s precious biodiversity.
Hairstreaks
Blues
(CONT.)
(E) Endemic to Cuba
Battus devilliersii
Battus polydamas cubensis (E)
Heraclides andraemon andraemon
Heraclides androgeus epidaurus
Strymon istapa cybira
Strymon limenia
Hemiargus ceraunus filenus
Leptotes cassius theonus
De Villier’s Swallowtail
Polydamas Swallowtail
Bahamian Swallowtail
Androgeus Swallowtail
Mallow Scrub-Hairstreak
Disguised Scrub-Hairstreak
Ceraunus Blue
Cassius Blue
Large. Locally common. The larva eats
Aristolochia.
Large. Locally common. The larva eats
Aristolochia.
Large. Very common. The larva eats
Citrus and Zanthoxylum.
Very large. Locally common. The larva
eats Citrus and Zanthoxylum.
Very small. Very common. The larva
eats Sida and Malvastrum.
Very small. Very common. The larva
eats Malachra and Malvastrum.
Very small. Very common. The larva
eats flower buds of legumes.
Very small. Very common. The larva eats
flower buds of legumes and Plumbago.
Sulphurs
Brush-footed Butterflies
Abaeis nicippe
Anteos clorinde nivifera
Aphrissa statira cubana
Eurema daira palmira
Doxocopa laure druryi (E)
Hamadryas amphichloe diasia
Lucinia sida sida (E)
Historis acheronta semele
Sleepy Orange
White Angled-Sulphur
Statira Sulphur
Barred Yellow
Silver Emperor
Pale Cracker
Caribbean Banner
Tailed Cecropian
Small. Locally common. The larva eats
Senna.
Large. Common to sometimes
abundant. The larva eats Senna
spectabilis.
Medium sized. Locally common. The
larva eats Cassia, Dalbergia ecastaphyllum, and Melicoccus bijugatus.
Small. Locally common. The larva eats
Stylosanthes and Aeschynomene.
Medium sized. Locally common. The
larva eats Celtis.
Large. Locally common. The larva eats
Dalechampia scandens and probably
Platygyne and Tragia.
Medium sized. Locally common. The
larva eats Serjania diversifolia.
Very large. Locally common. The larval
host plant is not known.
Phoebis agarithe antillia
Phoebis avellaneda (E)
Phoebis philea philea
Phoebis sennae sennae
Historis odius odius
Siderone galanthis nemesis
Marpesia eleuchea eleuchea (E)
Danaus gilippus berenice
Large Orange Sulphur
Orange-washed Sulphur
Orange-barred Sulphur
Cloudless Sulphur
Orion Cecropian
Red-and-black Leafwing
Caribbean Daggerwing
Queen
Large. Common. The larva eats
Pithecellobium and Lysiloma
latisiliquum.
Large. Locally common. The larva eats
Cassia and Senna.
Large. Common. The larva eats Cassia
and Senna.
Medium sized. Very common. The larva
eats Cassia and Senna.
Very large. Locally common. The larva
eats Cecropia peltata.
Large. Uncommon. The larva eats
Casearia.
Medium sized. Common. The larva eats
Ficus.
Large. Common. The larva eats
Asclepias, Calotropis procera, Cynanchum
and Sarcostemma clausum.
Pyrisitia dina dina (E)
Pyrisitia lisa euterpe
Pyrisitia messalina
Pyrisitia nise nise
Danaus plexippus plexippus
Agraulis vanillae insularis
Dryas iulia nudeola (E)
Heliconius charithonia ramsdeni
Dina Yellow
Little Yellow
Whitish Yellow
Mimosa Yellow
Monarch
Gulf Fritillary
Julia
Zebra Heliconian
Small. Common. The larva eats
Alvaradoa and Picramnia.
Small. Very common. The larva eats
Chamaecrista, Desmanthus, Mimosa
and Neptunia.
Small. Locally common. The larva eats
Senna.
Small. Very common. The larva eats
Mimosa.
Large. Sometimes common. The larva
eats Asclepias and Calotropis procera.
Large. Very common. The larva eats
Passiflora.
Large. Common. The larva eats
Passiflora.
Large. Common. The larva eats
Passiflora.
Whites
Hairstreaks
Ascia monuste eubotea
Glutophrissa drusilla poeyi
Chlorostrymon simaethis simaethis
Electrostrymon angelia angelia
Adelpha iphicleola iphimedia (E)
Anartia chrysopelea (E)
Anartia jatrophae guantanamo
Anthanassa frisia frisia
Great Southern White
Florida White
Silver-banded Hairstreak
Fulvous Hairstreak
Confusing Sister
Cuban Peacock
White Peacock
Cuban Crescent
Medium sized. Very common. The larva
eats Brassica, Capparis flexuosa, Cleome,
Raphanus, and Tropaeolum.
Medium sized. Locally common. The
larva eats Capparis flexuosa and
Drypetes.
Very small. Locally common. The larva
eats Cardiospermum.
Very small. Very common. The larva
eats Salvia misella flowers and other
plants.
Medium sized. Locally common. The
larva eats Calycophyllum candidissimum.
Medium sized. Locally common. The larva
eats Phyla and probably Ruellia.
Medium sized. Very common. The larva
eats Bacopa monnieri, Phyla, and
Ruellia.
Small. Common. The larva eats Ruellia.