Butterflies of Zihuatanejo

SUPERFAMILY PAPILIONOIDEA

-Ruddy Daggerwing (Marpesia petreus)

Marpesia petreus, commonly known as the Ruddy Daggerwing, is a distinctive butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It is named for its long, sharply pointed forewings, which give it a dagger-like silhouette in flight and at rest. The upper side of the wings is typically rich orange to reddish-brown, sometimes with subtle darker markings, while the overall shape is elongated and angular, unlike most butterflies. The underside is dramatically different—mottled brown and gray, closely resembling a dead leaf, providing excellent camouflage when the butterfly rests with wings closed. This species is found in the southern United States, Mexico, Central America, and South America, inhabiting woodlands, forest edges, and open areas. Adults are strong fliers, often seen gliding or darting rapidly, then perching with wings closed on tree trunks or leaves.

Diet

The caterpillars feed primarily on plants in the fig family (Moraceae)
Adults feed on flower nectar and also visit tree sap, rotting fruit and other nutrient-rich sources.

Range

Marpesia petreus has a broad distribution from the southern United States through Mexico and Central America, the Caribbean and South America to northern Argentina.
It occurs in Guerrero and is occasionally sighted in the Zihua area.

Habitat

The Ruddy Daggerwing inhabits tropical and subtropical forest, woodland, forest edges, wetlands and areas of relatively open vegetation.
It is particularly associated with areas containing mature fig trees, which provide important larval food plants.
Adults may spend considerable time high in the canopy but also descend to forest openings, flowers, damp ground and river margins. They sometimes gather at moist sandy or muddy sites to obtain minerals and moisture.

Description

The Ruddy Daggerwing has a wingspan of approximately 70–95 mm.
The upper surface is predominantly rich orange or reddish orange, crossed by several narrow black lines. The forewing has an elongated, pointed tip, while the hindwing bears two long, dagger-like tails.
The tails are distinctive but unequal in length, with one noticeably shorter than the other.
The underside is mottled brown, grey and black, producing an effective dead-leaf resemblance when the butterfly rests with its wings closed.
Males generally have stronger orange coloration and more sharply defined black markings than females.
The combination of the narrow pointed wings, orange-and-black upper surface and unequal dagger-like hindwing tails distinguishes it from most other Marpesia species found in the region.