Daggerwing
Guides
Marpesia zerynthia
Waiter, Waiter Daggerwing
Marpesia zerynthia, commonly known as the waiter or waiter daggerwing, is a Neotropical butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. The species is named for its distinctive wing shape and behavior. Adults are known for gathering in small groups at wet sand and mud to extract moisture and minerals, a behavior called "puddling." The species exhibits a unique thermoregulatory behavior called "pumping," where butterflies rapidly imbibe and expel water. Development from egg to adult takes 32 days or less under favorable conditions.