Dynamine mylitta

Mylitta Greenwing

Basic Information

General information

Family: Nymphalidae
Sub Family: Limenitidinae
Estimated Lifespan 14 Days

Garden Specific Information

Estimated Number In Flight: 0
Total Number of Pupae Received: 78
First Flown On: 04/07/03
Last Flown On: 06/11/09

Species Range:

  • NorthAmerica
  • SouthAmerica
  • Asia

Host plants:

  • Dalechampia

Food Source

Adults nectar from a variety of composite flowers.

Etymology Of Name

In Greek dynamis means power and strength. In Babylonian mythology Mylitta was the goddess of love, war and fertility.

Habitat

Mylitta Greenwings are found in lowland tropical forest along the edges.

Life history

Males patrol for receptive females. After mating, the female lays her eggs individually on the leaves and stems of the host plant. The larvae feed on the host plant until they pupate. The pupa hangs on the host plant or surrounding structure until it emerges.

Flights

There are multiple generations each year, making it possible to find adults most of the year, especially in the warmest part of their range.

Fun Facts

The inside of the male Mylitta Greenwing wings are iridescent green. This impressive coloration is created by tiny overlapping structural scales similar to those found on the Common Blue Morpho.