Kingdom Animalia Class Insecta Family Pieridae Scientific name Aphrissa statira | Phylum Arthropoda Order Lepidoptera Genus Aphrissa Rank Species | |
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Similar Aphrissa, Phoebis argante, Appias drusilla, Eurema daira, Phoebis agarithe | ||
Mariposas manifestante aphrissa statira
Aphrissa statira, the statira sulphur, is a species of Lepidoptera in the family Pieridae.
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Description
Aphrissa statira has a wingspan of about 2.37 inches (6.0 cm) to 3.12 inches (7.9 cm). The upper surface of the male wing is divided by ridged of scales. The outer half of wing is pale yellow and inner half is lemon yellow. The female wing is lemon yellow with black borders at the apex and outer margin, and has a solid black cell spot. On the bottom, they are both pale green to white.
A study conducted in Panama demonstrated that Aphrissa statira loses its navigational capacity when exposed to a strong magnetic field, suggesting it uses the Earth's magnetic field to navigate.
Ecology
Aphrissa statira are found in tropical scrubs, gardens, fields and forest edges. The species eats nectar from red-colored plants. In Florida, the caterpillar hosts on Dalbergia ecastophyllum and Calliandra, both members of the pea family (Fabaceae).
Geographic range
The species ranges from Argentina north to southern Texas and southern Florida, United States. There are strays through southern Georgia, New Mexico, and Kansas. Many flights occur in Florida from June through February and they make large migrations in the tropics.
