Green-striped Urania
Image: Luz Lareneg Cruz (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Common NameGreen-striped Urania
Scientific NameUrania leilus
FamilyUraniidae
SubfamilyUraniinae
Wingspan (mm)85
Primary Colorsblack, green, blue, white
HabitatTropical rainforests, forest edges
Geographic RangeAmazon basin (South America), including Peru, Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana
Host PlantsOmphalea spp.
Flight PeriodYear-round, with peak migrations
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae feed exclusively on toxic *Omphalea* vines, sequestering toxins for defense. Adults are known for spectacular mass migrations.
Identification TipsOften mistaken for a swallowtail butterfly due to its bright colors, diurnal flight, and tailed hindwings; however, its antennae are typically more feathery or simple (not clubbed) and its body is more robust than most swallowtails.
Description
A large, diurnal moth with iridescent green and blue stripes on a black background, featuring prominent swallowtail-like tails on its hindwings.
