The Atala butterfly, Eumaeus atala, is a member of the Lycaenidae family and the Subfamily Theclinae, or hairstreak. The Atala occurs naturally in southeast Florida, and also in the Bahamas, Cuba, the Cayman Islands and other nearby islands (Koi & Hall, 2015). I visited Florida in February of this year and was able to see this dazzling beauty twice at Long Pine Key Nature Area in Ft. Lauderdale. It was once common in the area, but was thought to be extirpated in the mid 1900s due to habitat loss and over-harvesting of its host plant, coontie (Zamia integrifolia), a cycad, for starch (Cech & Tudor, 2005; Koi & Hall 2015). However, an isolated population was later discovered. Efforts have been made since then to raise and reintroduce the species throughout its natural habitat and on private and public land. It has helped that coontie has been embraced as a landscape plant.

The Atala’s wingspan is approximately 1 ½ to 1 ¾ inches across with the males being small- er than the females. The ventral forewing is black. The boldly colored hindwing and bright abdomen can be seen in the photo with this article. The Atalas rest with their wings closed, so the dorsal side is rarely seen. The dorsal forewing of the male is black with greenish metallic iridescence in the central area, while the dorsal forewing of the female is black and has a smaller blue metallic area (Cech & Tudor, 2005).

The Atala’s bright red-orange abdomen and black wings with three rows of iridescent turquoise dots are striking and aposematic (warning). Atalas carry a protective toxic chemical, cycasin, from their host plant. Once eaten, the butterfly will rarely be eaten again by the same predator. Even the eggs have cycasin in them (Schneider et al., 2002).

In Long Pine Key Nature Area the Atalas flew in a slow manner 6 feet or less above the ground. Sometimes one would perch on the end of a branch, most likely a male on the lookout for a female or another male encroaching on his domain (Koi, 2013, 2015). Others would fly into the coontie plants and crawl about on the leaves, possibly females. Ovipositing (egg laying) was not observed.

I was unable to determine if there were eggs on the coontie I examined as there are pests that also look like eggs. Koi states that the eggs are laid in clusters of 60 or more, and often on new growth of the host plant. The few gel-like larvae present at Long Pine Key were attached to the leaves with silk hairs. The Atala has 3 to 5 instars. They are able to pupate after the 3^rd instar if conditions are not ideal for maturation which resulting in smaller adults (Koi, 2013, 2015). Atalas often pupate in groups. There were several groupings at this site. Pupae were visible in several stages of development in addition to a few that looked diseased. When they are ready to eclose (emerge), you can see the red of the abdomen and

black wing color. Atala butterflies are multivoltine (breed year round). They are most numerous after the seasonal rains of the spring and fall when coontie fronds are growing and tender. Koi has observed Atalas living 3 weeks or more in the wild and up to 3 months in ideal conditions (2013, 2015).

The future of this butterfly is of concern due to its being susceptible to loss of habitat, loss of its host plant, fires, hurricanes, and the isolated nature of its population.

All photos by Melanie Weiss.

Special thanks to Dave Nunnallee for the inspiration for my humble efforts and for the many species profiles that he has given us in the past.

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