The Banded Orange, Dryadula phaetusa
The dorsal wing surface of the male Banded Orange is bright orange with thick black horizontal stripes. Females are similar, but lighter and with fuzzier stripes. The ventral wing surface contains alternating reddish brown, cream, and orange stripes. Their wingspan measures 8 – 9 cm.
Banded Orange butterflies occur mainly from Brazil north through Central America. Rarely, they can be found in Texas and Kansas. They are hardly ever found in forests, and instead inhabit open, disturbed areas. Adults feed on nectar and bird droppings and have a delicate fluttering flight. At night, they can be found roosting under the leaves of bushes. Banded Orange caterpillars, which are light purple and covered in black spines, feed mainly on passion vine (Passifloraceae).
