Blomfild's Beauty (Smyrna blomfildia [Hübner])
Wing span: 3 - 3 1/2 inches (7.6 - 9 cm).
Identification: Upperside of male is red-orange, female is brown; both a have black forewing apex with three white spots. Underside of hindwing has a wavy brown and tan pattern with two submarginal eyespots.
Life history: Males are somewhat territorial and perch head downward on tree trunks to wait for females. Eggs are laid singly under host plant leaves; caterpillars eat leaves and rest underneath them. Adults fly swiftly and roost singly.
Flight: All through the year in the tropics.
Caterpillar hosts: Tree Urera in the nettle family (Urticaceae).
Adult food: Rotting fruit.
Habitat: Tropical forests.
Range: Peru north through Central America to Mexico. Periodically wanders to South Texas.
