Florida Atala

This butterfly has a slow, fluttering flight that is easy to see. Large scale harvest of Coontie during the late 1800's as well as coastal development had reduced populations of this beautiful butterfly. Presently, it is more common and sometimes considered a pest of ornamental Zamia.

Habitat: Tropical hardwood hammocks and pinelands, urban areas where the host plant is grown

Larval host plants: Coontie (Zamia pumila)

Flight: All year

Florida range: Southern Florida

Occurrence: Listed as species of special concern, locally abundant

Link for more information: http://www.nearctica.com/butter/plate6/Eatala.htm