Diet

• The caterpillars feed on plants in several families, particularly Apocynaceae, Caricaceae, Euphorbiaceae and Moraceae.

• Known host plants include tropical milkweed, papaya, Ficus, Jacaratia, Forsteronia, Gonolobus, Matelea, Nerium and Vasconcellea.

• Adults feed on nectar from a variety of flowers and may also obtain nutrients from bird droppings.

Range

• Lycorea halia occurs from Mexico through Central America and the Caribbean to northern and central South America.

• In Mexico, it occurs in tropical regions including Guerrero and is occasionally sighted in the Zihua area.

Habitat

• The Tropical Milkweed Butterfly inhabits tropical forest, secondary woodland, forest edges, clearings and vegetation along streams and ravines.

• It is also found in gardens and other areas where its larval food plants grow.

• Adults often fly through sunny openings and along forest margins, while males may perch beneath the forest canopy.

Description

• This is a medium-to-large butterfly with a wingspan of approximately 95–108 mm.

• The wings are predominantly dark brown to black with prominent orange bands. The forewings have two orange bands extending outward from the basal area, while the hindwings have several orange bands and a row of small pale spots near the outer margin.

• The underside is similar but generally darker and somewhat less sharply defined.

• The combination of orange, black and pale markings gives the butterfly a distinctive tiger-striped appearance.

• The antennae are relatively short and yellowish, providing a useful feature for distinguishing it from some superficially similar tiger-patterned butterflies.