Tailed Orange Butterfly

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The Tailed Orange (Pyrisitia proterpia) butterfly gets its name from the very small tail-like projection at the bottom of its wings.

It is primarily a neotropical species with a small presence in the Desert Southwest and Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas.

The picture shows a side view of the contrasting top and bottom wings. The bottom wings have a darker color with brown patterns along the veins.

Unlike many butterflies, with open wings, the Tailed Orange has a square rather than circular appearance.

© 2008 Patricia A. Michaels