Specialized-feeding
Guides
Ceratophaga
Ceratophaga is a genus of moths in the family Tineidae containing 16 described species. The genus is notable for its highly specialized larval diet: keratin from solid animal tissues, primarily horns and hooves of ungulates. Twelve species occur in Africa, three in Asia, and one species, C. vicinella, is found in the southeastern United States where it feeds on gopher tortoise shells. The genus name derives from Greek words for 'horn' (kéras) and 'eater' (phágos).
Dryas
Julia heliconians
Dryas is a monotypic genus of brush-footed butterflies (Nymphalidae) containing the single species Dryas iulia, commonly known as the Julia butterfly or Julia heliconian. Native from Brazil through Central America to the southern United States, this species has been observed as far north as eastern Nebraska during summer months. The genus is notable for its specialized feeding behavior, with adults known to drink tears from reptiles and eye secretions from sleeping birds to obtain salts and amino acids. Over 15 subspecies have been described across its broad Neotropical and Nearctic range.