Mechanitis polymnia

Sweet Oil or Orange-spotted Tiger Clearwing

Basic Information

General information

Family: “Nymphalidae”
Sub Family: Ithomiinae
Estimated Lifespan 16 Days

Garden Specific Information

Estimated Number In Flight: 4
Total Number of Pupae Received: 2047
First Flown On: 10/21/02
Last Flown On: 12/12/24

Species Range:

  • “SouthAmerica”

Host plants:

  • Solanum

Food Source

The Sweet Oil butterfly adult nectars from a variety of flowers.

Habitat

This butterfly can be found in disturbed forests as well as nearby roadsides and farmland.

Life history

The female lays eggs in large clusters on the bottom-side of the hostplant leaves. The caterpillars feed gregariously.

Flights

This butterfly can be found in flight year-round.