Anaea troglodyta floridalis

F. Johnson & W. Comstock, 1941

Florida Leafwing

Anaea troglodyta floridalis is a federally endangered of to southern Florida. It is one of the most imperiled butterflies in North America, with restricted to pine rockland and tropical hardwood hammock in Miami-Dade County and Everglades National Park. The subspecies is highly dependent on its plant Croton linearis for larval development. Habitat loss, fragmentation, and fire suppression have contributed to its decline, with remaining populations concentrated in protected areas.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Anaea troglodyta floridalis: //əˈniː.ə ˌtrɒɡ.loʊˈdaɪ.tə flɔːˈrɪd.ə.lɪs//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Distinguished from the nominate Anaea troglodyta troglodyta by geographic restriction to southern Florida. have orange-brown upperwing surfaces with leaf-like dead-leaf mimicry on underwings when at rest. Separation from other Anaea in Florida requires examination of wing pattern details and association.

Habitat

Pine rockland and tropical hardwood hammock in southern Florida. Requires presence of plant Croton linearis for persistence.

Distribution

to Miami-Dade County, Florida, including Everglades National Park and surrounding protected preserves.

Host Associations

  • Croton linearis - larval plantRequired for larval development; study indicates distribution of this plant in preserves directly affects occurrence potential

Human Relevance

Federally endangered ; subject to conservation efforts focused on protection and plant preservation. Habitat management including prescribed fire may benefit .

Similar Taxa

  • Anaea troglodyta troglodytaNominate with broader Caribbean distribution; floridalis restricted to Florida
  • Strymon acis bartramiCo-occurring federally endangered in same with shared conservation concerns and overlapping plant associations

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Sources and further reading