Green-backed Ruby-eye

Appearance

Top surface of the thorax is iridescent green. Wings are dark brown; fringes are checkered black and white. Upperside of forewing has transparent pale yellow spots; male with a curved gray stigma. Underside of hindwing is mottled dark brown, purple, and gray.
Wing Span: 1 1/2 - 1 11/16 inches (3.9 - 4.3 cm).
Sexes similar.
Unlikely to be mistaken for anything else and the reddish eye combined with mauve and brown underwings is diagnostic.

Naming

Gmelin, 1790

Caribbean Ruby-eye - Synonym

Distribution

Central America to central South America and the Greater Antilles.

Status

NCGR: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.

Behavior

Flight: November-December in South Texas; many broods from December-January in Mexico.

Habitat

A wide variety of Gramineae including the grass Panicum maximum. Larvae have also been found on sugar cane and bamboo in Cuba. Larvae that we have seen on Panicum maximum have all been on plants growing in full or partial shade.

Reproduction

Life History: Females lay eggs on both sides of grass leaves; caterpillars eat leaves.

Food

Nectar Plants: Bidens pilosa, Cordia and Lantana.
Larval Foodplants: A wide variety of Gramineae including the grass Panicum maximum. Larvae have also been found on sugar cane and bamboo in Cuba. Larvae that we have seen on Panicum maximum have all been on plants growing in full or partial shade.