Butterflies of the World - Lifecycle, Ecology, Taxonomy, Conservation, Photography, Butterfly Holidays, Photo Galleries, Book Reviews and more.........
Text and photographs protected by Copyright © Adrian Hoskins 2007, and must not be published in part or in whole elsewhere without prior written permission from the author.
Butterflies of the Amazon rainforest
 
White Grass Yellow
Eurema albula  CRAMER, 1775
Family - PIERIDAE
subfamily - COLIADINAE
 
 introduction | habitats | lifecycle | adult behaviour
 
Eurema albula, female, Manu Biosphere Reserve, Peru
 
Introduction
 
The name "White Grass Yellow" might sound like a contradiction in terms, but signifies that most other members of this genus are yellow, and live in grassy habitats.
 
There are 19 neotropical members of the genus Eurema, of which 5 are whitish on the upper surface, but only albula has a white underside - the others are cream or yellowish beneath, and dappled with flecks or patches of orange-brown.
 
Both sexes of albula have pure white uppersides with a black apex and outer margin on the forewings. In the male there is also a thin black margin on the hindwings.
 
Eurema albula occurs from Mexico to Uruguay, and on most Caribbean islands.
 
Habitats
 
Like most other Eurema species this butterfly breeds in disturbed semi-open forest edge habitats, which may include roadsides, riverbanks, secondary forest and farmland. It occurs at altitudes between sea level and about 1600m.
 
Lifecycle
 
The eggs are laid singly on Cassia ( Caesalpinaceae ).
 
The fully grown caterpillar has a granulated texture, and is pale green above and yellow below, with a white line along each side.
 
The chrysalis is pale green with a dorsal keel and a pointed head.
 
Adult behaviour

 

The butterfly is usually encountered singly, fluttering slowly amongst low herbage in disturbed forest edge habitats.

 

Both sexes nectar at low growing flowers and at Lantana bushes. Unlike most other Eurema species, the males do not normally mud-puddle or visit sandbanks.

 

 

 

 
 
Text and photographs protected by Copyright © Adrian Hoskins 2007-2008, and must not be reproduced or published in part or in whole elsewhere in any form without written permission from Adrian Hoskins. Breach of copyright will be pursued by litigation.
 
Website designed, produced and owned by Adrian Hoskins