Diet

• Adults feed on nectar from a variety of flowering plants, particularly small flowers in sunny woodland openings and along forest edges.

• The caterpillars feed primarily on Acanthaceae.

• Larvae may occur in groups on their host plants, where their dark coloration and spiny bodies provide some protection from predators.

Range

• The Black Patch occurs from Mexico through Central America to Costa Rica, with its distribution concentrated along warm tropical and subtropical regions.

• Guerrero lies within its range, particularly along the warmer Pacific lowlands and foothills.

• It is an occasional butterfly in the Zihua area, where it is most likely to be encountered around suitable forest-edge vegetation and flowering plants.

Habitat

• It favours tropical deciduous forest, semi-open woodland, forest edges, riparian vegetation, clearings, and disturbed areas with suitable Acanthaceae.

• It can occur from near sea level into the lower foothills. In Central America it is particularly associated with warm Pacific-slope environments and areas with seasonal vegetation.

• Adults tend to remain close to woodland and vegetation rather than spending long periods in completely open areas.

Description

• A medium-sized checkerspot with a wingspan of approximately 35–45 mm.

• The upper surface is predominantly dark brown to black, with contrasting cream, yellowish-white, and orange markings forming irregular bands and patches across the wings.

• The forewings have pale spots and bands, while the hindwings show a prominent combination of dark and pale areas that gives the species its characteristic checkered appearance.