Butterflies of
the Amazon and Andes
White Grass Yellow
Eurema albula
CRAMER, 1775
Family - PIERIDAE
subfamily -
COLIADINAE
introduction
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habitats |
lifecycle |
adult behaviour
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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.
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