Red-bordered Metalmark (Caria ino Godman & Salvin)
Wing span: 3/4 - 1 inch (2 - 2.5 cm).
Identification: Leading edge of forewing is arched in both sexes. Male upperside is dark brown with a postmedian line of metallic spots extending from leading edge of forewing. Female lighter. Underside of male checkered with red; female orange.
Life history: Adults rest by hanging from the underside of leaves. Eggs are laid singly on leaf petioles of host plants. Caterpillars eat leaves and live in a rolled-up leaf or in a nest of leaves tied together with silk. Older caterpillars hibernate, but do not survive freezing weather.
Flight: March-November in South Texas.
Caterpillar hosts: Spiny hackberry (Celtis pallida) in the elm family.
Adult food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Subtropical thorn forest.
Range: South Texas south through Mexico to Costa Rica.
