Scientific Name
Eumaeus atala
Average Life Span
~3 weeks but can live 2-3 months in colonies
Wingspan
~1.5 - 2 in (3.8 - 5 cm)
The Atala butterfly, scientifically known as Eumaeus atala, is a stunningly attractive species native to the southeastern United States, particularly Florida. The Atala butterfly stands out from its surroundings thanks to its remarkable combination of brilliant hues, which include iridescent blue, deep black, and blazing red-orange. This butterfly was once thought to be extinct in Florida, but it has made a remarkable comeback because of conservation efforts and the protection of its host plant, coontie.
RANGE
Southern Florida, the Bahamas, and Cuba.
Read about the resurgence of the Atala butterfly, which was once on the verge of extinction but is again flourishing in Florida’s lush settings. Discover the critical role performed by its host plant, the Coontie, in this incredible conservation success story.
NECTAR PLANTS
Atala butterflies feed on nectar from a variety of flowers. Because of their tiny proboscis, they prefer flowers with short corollas, yet they have been spotted entering large deep blossoms head-first. They appear to prefer white-flowered plants over other hues, with palm tree inflorescences being especially enticing. Atala butterflies rapidly consume nectar sources such as wild coffee (Psychotria nervosa), porterweed (Stachytarpheta jamaicensis), beautyberry (Callicarpa americana), indigoberry (Randia aculeate), and common weeds such as Spanish needles (Bidens alba), often known as Romerillo or Beggarticks. These butterflies also frequent blooming trees in south Florida, including dahoon holly (Ilex cassine), sweet almond (Aloysia virgata), blackbead (Pithecellobium), Florida fiddlewood (Citharexylum spinosum), and golden dewdrops (Duranta erecta).
Eggs
Females lay single eggs on leaves, stems, and flower buds.
Image credit: CyclicalCore Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 License
Caterpillar
The atala caterpillars hatch pale and flesh colored but develop into bright red caterpillars with two rows of lemon-yellow spots.
Chrysalis
Warm-season pupae are golden brown with black spots, while cool-season pupae are deeper brown with black spots.
Fun Fact
The name “Atala” has its roots in literature, with its genus name Eumaeus referencing a character from Greek mythology. In Homer’s epics, the Iliad and the Odyssey, Eumaeus is a loyal companion to the Trojan War hero Odysseus. The species name “atala” is derived from a 19th-century novella by French author Chateaubriand, titled “Atala,” which is set among Native American tribes in the southeastern United States. The novella tells the story of Atala, an Indian princess, echoing the literary and cultural influences in the naming of the butterfly.
