Diet

• Adults feed on flower nectar and are particularly associated with flowering plants in the sunflower family (Asteraceae).

Range

• Caria stillaticia has a relatively restricted distribution in southwestern and southern Mexico, with its range extending into parts of central and southeastern Mexico.

• It is occasionally sighted in the Zihua area, particularly where flowering vegetation occurs within dry tropical forest and woodland.

Habitat

• The Gold-headed Metalmark occurs in tropical deciduous forest, semi-deciduous woodland, thorny vegetation and other warm forest habitats.

• Males are strongly attracted to damp sand and wet ground, where they gather to obtain dissolved minerals. Females tend to be associated more closely with flowering vegetation.

• In the Zihua region, look along forest trails, stream margins, damp patches of soil, flowering clearings and edges of tropical deciduous forest.

Description

• The Gold-headed Metalmark is a small, delicate metalmark, with the intricate reddish-brown and metallic patterning typical of Caria.

• The wings are predominantly brown with contrasting golden or coppery markings, giving the species its English name.

• The underside is patterned with fine lines and metallic markings, while the upper surface is darker and more strongly contrasting.

• Like other Caria, it is a relatively compact butterfly that can be easy to overlook when settled with its wings closed.