Atala,
Eumaeus
atala <LEP45>
A beautiful Bahamian butterfly.
Once common in Florida, Atala became nearly extinct in the United
States due to habitat changes and development. Just a few small colonies are known now, where the larvae feed
on coontie. On the underside, the
wings are matte black with several rows of sapphire blue spots and a large
fire-engine red spot that extends onto the abdomen as well. The upperside is black on the edges and
veins, otherwise bright shiny green with a green thorax and red abdomen. |