Puerto Rico harlequin butterfly facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Puerto Rico harlequin butterfly |
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Nymphalinae
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Melitaeini
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A. tulita
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| Atlantea tulita (Dewitz, 1877)
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The Atlantea tulita is a very rare butterfly. People also call it the Puerto Rico harlequin butterfly. In Spanish, its names are mariposa arlequín de Puerto Rico or quebradillana. This special butterfly lives only in Puerto Rico. It is a type of brush-footed butterfly. Because it is so rare, the United States government is thinking about protecting it as an endangered species. In 2011, experts said it needed protection, but other things got in the way. So, it is still waiting to be officially protected.
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What Does the Harlequin Butterfly Look Like?
This butterfly has a wingspan of about 6 centimeters (about 2.4 inches). Its wings have a cool, scattered pattern. This pattern looks like a harlequin costume. It has bright colors like orange, black, red, and white.
Where Does This Butterfly Live?
Scientists first described this butterfly in 1877. They found it in a place called Quebradillas. In the past, you could find it in other towns too. These included Arecibo, Maricao, Sabana Grande, and Peñuelas.
Today, this butterfly lives in only two main areas. These are around Quebradillas and Maricao Commonwealth Forest. Experts believe there are fewer than 70 adult butterflies alive at any time.
What Kind of Home Does it Need?
The Puerto Rico harlequin butterfly lives in special forests. These are called subtropical moist and wet forests. The ground in these areas is often made of limestone and serpentine rock.
Many different plants grow in these forests. Some examples are Oplonia spinosa (prickly bush) and Coccoloba uvifera (sea grape). Other plants include Bourreria succulenta (palo de vaca) and Lantana camara (cariaquillo).
Life Cycle and Food
This butterfly is a "specialist species." This means it needs a very specific plant to survive. The prickly bush, Oplonia spinosa, is the only plant where the female butterfly lays her eggs. She only lays eggs on the new green stems of this plant.
After the eggs hatch, the young larvae (caterpillars) eat the leaves of the prickly bush. Adult butterflies, however, eat nectar from many other kinds of plants.
Why is the Harlequin Butterfly in Danger?
This rare butterfly faces many threats. The biggest problem is habitat destruction. This happens when people build new homes and businesses. This building removes the forests where the butterfly lives. It also removes the prickly bush, which is the only plant the caterpillars can eat.
The area where the butterfly lives is popular for tourism. This means more construction might happen there. Also, this butterfly does not have many babies. This makes it harder for its population to grow. Other dangers include fires, chemicals like herbicides and pesticides, and climate change.
External Links
- El ciclo de vida de la mariposa arlequín de Puerto Rico (Atlantea tulita), a poster from the USFWS, in Spanish.
- Vélez, A. Modelando la distribución de Atlantea tulita: especie endémica en peligro de extinción en Puerto Rico. in Spanish.
