Diet

• Caterpillars: Feed primarily on vines in the spurge family.

• Eggs are laid singly on the underside of mature leaves. The caterpillars become predominantly black with yellow markings and numerous branched spines as they mature.

• Adults: Obtain nutrients mainly from rotting fruit, tree sap, dung, and other non-floral sources rather than flower nectar.

Range

• The Guatemalan Cracker occurs from Mexico through Central America to Costa Rica. It is a primarily Central American species, with occasional individuals reaching southern Texas.

• It occurs in the Zihua area, particularly where tropical forest edges and its Dalechampia host vines are present.

Habitat

• Typically inhabits tropical forest edges, stream valleys, woodland clearings, and cut-over or regenerating areas.

• It is particularly associated with partially open woodland where Dalechampia vines grow along fences, ravines, forest margins, and other disturbed vegetation. In Central America it has been found from low elevations to approximately 1,500 m.

• Adults characteristically perch head downward on tree trunks with their wings spread flat, where their intricate coloration provides excellent camouflage.

Description

• A medium-sized cracker with a wingspan of approximately 76–98 mm.

• The upper surface is intricately marbled in brown, gray, tan, cream, and whitish tones. The outer half of the forewing is noticeably paler than the basal portion.

• A distinctive red, S-shaped or wavy bar crosses the forewing cell, providing one of the best field marks for the species.

• The hindwings have a conspicuous row of large eyespots, with mottled brown-and-white centers surrounded by blue, black, and additional blue rings.

• The underside is predominantly tan and whitish, with a large white patch below the forewing apex and dark submarginal markings on the hindwing.

• The sexes are broadly similar, although males are particularly notable for their territorial behavior and sound production.