Florida Butterfly Caterpillars And Their Host Plants

by Minno, Marc C.

• ISBN13: 9780813027890
• ISBN10: 0813027896
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-04-29
• Publisher: Univ Pr of Florida

Summary

"Florida's mild climate and diversity of plants create the perfect environment in which caterpillars thrive. The state has a rich and unusual butterfly fauna consisting of temperate species from eastern North America, tropical species from the Caribbean region, and unique races that are found nowhere else. For everyone who has wondered what to do about the caterpillars they find munching on a beloved plant, the authors of Florida Butterfly Caterpillars and Their Host Plants offer this advice: "Watch them."" "In this first comprehensive guide, butterfly experts Marc C. Minno, Jerry F. Butler, and Donald W. Hall have compiled everything you need to know about these diverse and productive members of Florida's ecosystem. They cover caterpillar anatomy, biology, ecology, habitat, behavior, and defense, as well as how to find, identify, and raise caterpillars. Distinct, detailed photos reveal 167 species of caterpillars, 185 plants, 18 life cycles, and 19 habitats. Life cycle comparisons (egg, larva, pupa, and adult), as well as many of the caterpillars and plants, have never been illustrated before in such an accessible reference. A handy checklist is also provided to help you keep track of the different species you encounter. Whether in scrub forest, freshwater marsh, or your own backyard, this book will inspire you to go out and make friends with a caterpillar near you."--BOOK JACKET.

Author Biography

Marc C. Minno, senior regulatory scientist for the St. Johns Water Management District, is the author or coauthor of four other books on butterflies, including Florida Butterfly Gardening: A Complete Guide to Attracting, Identifying, and Enjoying Butterflies (UPF).

 

Jerry F. Butler, professor emeritus of entomology at the University of Florida, is the author of numerous book chapters and articles in the field of medical and veterinary entomology.

 

Donald W. Hall, professor of entomology at the University of Florida, has published widely in the area of insect pathology and field biology.

Table of Contents

Foreword	ix
Acknowledgments	xi
Introduction	1	(66)
Anatomy	3	(5)
Biology and Ecology	8	(4)
Caterpillar Behavior and Defense	12	(11)
Identifying Caterpillars	23	(2)
Metamorphosis and Life Cycles	25	(21)
Finding and Rearing Caterpillars	46	(4)
Butterfly Gardening	50	(1)
Butterfly Habitats	50	(15)
Host Plants	65	(2)
Florida Butterfly Caterpillars	67	(94)
Swallowtails (family Papilionidae)	67	(7)
Whites, Orangetips, and Sulphurs (family Pieridae)	74	(1)
Whites (subfamily Pierinae)	74	(2)
Orangetips (subfamily Anthocharinae)	76	(1)
Sulphurs (subfamily Coliadinae)	77	(7)
Harvesters, Hairstreaks, and Blues (family Lycaenidae)	84	(1)
Harvesters (subfamily Miletinae)	84	(1)
Hairstreaks (subfamily Theclinae)	85	(11)
Blues (subfamily Polyommatinae)	96	(4)
Metalmarks (family Riodinidae)	100	(1)
Brushfoots and Relatives (family Nymphalidae)	101	(1)
Snouts (subfamily Libytheinae)	101	(1)
Heliconians (subfamily Heliconiinae)	102	(2)
Brushfoots (subfamily Nymphalinae)	104	(8)
Admirals (subfamily Limenitidinae)	112	(3)
Leafwings (subfamily Charaxinae)	115	(1)
Emperors (subfamily Apaturinae)	116	(1)
Satyrs and Wood-Nymphs (subfamily Satyrinae)	117	(4)
Milkweed Butterflies (subfamily Danainae)	121	(2)
Skippers (family Hesperiidae)	123	(1)
Spread-winged Skippers (subfamily Pyrginae)	123	(13)
Grass-Skippers (subfamily Hesperiinae)	136	(23)
Giant-Skippers (subfamily Megathyminae)	159	(2)
Plates	161	(58)
Host Plants of Florida Butterflies	219	(94)
Gymnosperms (Cone-bearing Plants)	219	(2)
Monocotyledons (Plants with One Seed Leaf)	221	(16)
Dicotyledons (Plants with Two Seed Leaves)	237	(76)
Checklist of Butterflies That Breed in Florida	313	(6)
References	319	(2)
Index	321