Skip to main content
Today is National Trails Day!
Close

Archduke

Lexias dirtea merguia

Photo by 1Sarah2
Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

29.6516, -82.3248

Field Notes

Description:

This is an Archduke male. While he has seen better days, he was alive to have his picture taken.
Spotted in captivity; see notes.

Habitat:

Rainforest

Notes:

Spotted at the Florida Museum of Natural History Butterfly Rainforest Exhibit
http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/butterflies/

Reference Links:

Lexias dirtea (Fabricius, 1793), Lexias dirtea

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (4)
1Sarah2
The area is above the frost line. I did note the tubes (maybe 1ft diameter) moving air and the butterflies playing in the air stream. I also heard some of the workers talking about the temperature setting. The exhibit has been open for 7 years. Hopefully, temperature issues have been dealt with successfully in the past.
Ashish
Great info... Hope Florida is a good Tropical like climate across the year...!! Butterflies depend on their specific herbs(at caterpillar stage) and shrubs(at butterfly stage) to get feeding through leafs and flowers.
1Sarah2
Thanks for the ID! There are more that 150 species in the exhibit, but this is the only Archduke I managed to get a picture of. There are several hundred assorted butterflies flying around free in the exhibit at any one time. A picture of the environment can be found at http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/butterflies/rainforest.htm.
Ashish
Its exact Specie is Lexias dirtea merguia... I surprised to know it find in American Museus.. How many are there..?

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Butterflies & Moths of the World
Mission
Pollinating Insects of the World
Mission
Captive Animals

Tags

Photographed
PublishedSeptember 3, 2011

Community Sponsor

Butterfly
Become a Community Sponsor and Help Grow our Global Movement!

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Butterflies icon
Become a Community Sponsor

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon

Nature & Conservation Organizations

Brands & Mission-Focused Companies