Falcate Metalmark (Emesis tenedia Felder & Felder)
Wing span: 1 1/8 - 1 3/8 inches (3 - 3.5 cm).
Identification: Tip of forewing of both sexes extends outward slightly. Upperside of male dark brown; female brown with large creamy patch on forewing. Underside of male orange with dark checks; female yellow-brown.
Life history: Eggs are laid in pairs or singly on the underside of leaf margins. Caterpillars chew circular holes in leaves, and pupate in a partially curled leaf.
Flight: July-January in Mexico and Central America, August and October in South Texas.
Caterpillar hosts: Clematis haenkeana in the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae).
Adult food: Nectar from Asclepias, Croton, Diodia, Lantana, and other small white flowers.
Habitat: A variety of habitats adjacent to forests.
Range: Panama north through Central America and Mexico. Rare resident in South Texas.
