''Anthanassa frisia'', the Cuban crescentspot, Cuban checkerspot or Cuban crescent, is a
butterfly of the family
Nymphalidae. Subspecies ''tulcis'' is known by the common names pale-banded crescent or Tulcis crescent; it is treated as a species by some authors. The nominate subspecies is found in the
West Indies and southern
Florida, with strays to northern Florida. Subspecies ''tulcis'' is found from
Argentina north through
Central America and
Mexico to southern
Texas, strays to west Texas and southern
Arizona. Other subspecies are resident to
South America.
The wingspan of subspecies ''frisia'' is 32–45 mm. Adults are on wing most of the year in southern Florida and throughout the year in the tropics. Subspecies ''tulcis'' has a wingspan of 32–35 mm. Adults are on wing from May to November in southern Texas.
Larvae of subspecies ''frisia'' feed on ''
Beloperone guttata
''Justicia brandegeeana'', the Mexican shrimp plant, shrimp plant or false hop, is an evergreen shrub in the genus '' Justicia'' of the acanthus family Acanthaceae, native to Mexico, and also naturalized in Florida.
It grows to 1 m tall (rarely ...
'', while ''tulcis'' larvae have been recorded on ''
Dicliptera
''Dicliptera'' is a genus of flowering plants in the bear's breeches family, Acanthaceae. Well-known synonyms include ''Peristrophe'' and ''Dactylostegium''.
Host plant
Dicliptera functions as a host plant for the butterfly, Anartia fatima.
...
'' species. Other recorded food plants include ''
Ruellia
''Ruellia'' is a genus of flowering plants commonly known as ruellias or wild petunias. They are not closely related to petunias (''Petunia'') although both genera belong to the same euasterid clade. The genus was named in honor of Jean Ruelle ( ...
'' species. Adults feed on flower nectar.
Subspecies
*''Anthanassa frisia frisia'' (Cuba, Jamaica)
*''Anthanassa frisia hermas'' (Brazil (Pernambuco, Bahia, São Paulo, Mato Grosso), Paraguay, northern Argentina, Ecuador)
*''Anthanassa frisia taeniata'' (Ecuador, western Peru)
*''Anthanassa frisia dubia'' (coasts of Venezuela and Colombia)
*''Anthanassa frisia tulcis'' (Texas, Arizona, Mexico, Guatemala to Panama)
Pale-banded crescent (Anthanassa tulcis) male.jpg, ''A. f. tulcis'', or ''A. tulcis'', male, Panama
Tulcis Crescent (Anthanassa tulcis) ventral.jpg, ''A. f. tulcis''
Cuban checkerspot (Anthanassa frisia frisia) 2.JPG, ''A. f. frisia'', Jamaica
Cuban crescentspot (Anthanassa frisia hermas).JPG, ''A. f. hermas'', Brazil
External links
Cuban crescent at Butterflies and Moths of North AmericaTulcis crescent at Butterflies and Moths of North America
Melitaeini
Nymphalidae of South America
Butterflies of Jamaica
Butterflies described in 1832
Taxa named by Felipe Poey
{{Nymphalinae-stub