Atala
ExploreInsects
Atala
Eumaeus atala
The Atala butterfly is a small, colorful insect with bright blue and black wings. These butterflies love to flutter around gardens and are known for their beautiful appearance.
Habitat: Urban areas
Appearance
The Atala is a striking butterfly with velvety black wings. Its hindwings feature brilliant iridescent blue patches, while its abdomen and a small patch near its body are a vibrant red-orange, making it visually distinct.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyLycaenidaeGenusEumaeus
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
Atala butterflies were once thought extinct in Florida, but they made a comeback!
Male Atalas patrol specific territories, like tiny aerial guards, searching for mates.
Their caterpillars are bright red with yellow spots – a clear warning sign!
They flutter rapidly, making their iridescent blue patches sparkle in the sunlight.
Special abilities
Ability
Toxic Snack
Atala caterpillars can eat poisonous coontie plants, storing toxins that make them, and later the butterfly, taste bad to predators.
Ability
Warning Colors
Atala has bright blue and red coloration that warns predators it's toxic, helping them avoid being eaten.
Ability
Flower Matchmaker
Atala sips nectar from flowers, helping them reproduce by carrying pollen on its body from one bloom to another.
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 30-45 mm
- Size
- 15-20 mm
- Lifespan
- 7-14 days
- Leg Count
- 6
Diet & Feeding
Adult Atalas drink flower nectar; caterpillars munch on coontie leaves for food.
Age differences: Larvae eat specific coontie plant leaves; adults drink nectar from various flowers.
Primary Foods
- nectar
- Zamia integrifolia leaves
- Lantana camara nectar
- Bidens alba nectar
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
depends on
coontie
Zamia integrifolia
Larvae eat its leaves for survival.
pollinates
.jpg&width=800)
lantana
Lantana camara
Adults feed on its nectar.
eaten by
green anole
Anolis carolinensis
A common predator of larvae and adults.
Traits
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Urban Friendly
This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Endangered
Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always watch butterflies from a distance so you don't scare them away.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Atala's wingspan?
30-45 mm
How big is Atala?
15-20 mm
How long does Atala live?
7-14 days
What does Atala eat?
Adult Atalas drink flower nectar; caterpillars munch on coontie leaves for food.
Where is Atala usually found?
Urban areas
How does Atala hunt?
Foraging
How many legs does Atala have?
6
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
_BHL7500836.jpg&width=800)
