Two butterflies spotted for first time in U.S. in the Valley

A couple of winged visitors have butterfly watchers all aflutter.

Two different types of butterflies that had not been previously recorded in the United

States were spotted over the weekend in the Upper Rio Grande Valley: the Guatemalan Leafwing, found in Falcon Heights in Starr County, and the One-spotted Prepona, found in Mission.

Temperate weather and growing number of gardens providing the insects with food and shelter in the area could be why the butterflies decided to venture farther north than usual.

Or it could just be that there are more butterfly watchers.

When their wings are raised, the Leafwing and the Prepona look dull, like dead leaves. But the upper portions of their wings have radiant blue streaks.

They’re usually found in forested areas of Mexico and Central America and are not usually spotted near flowers, said Mike Quinn, an invertebrate biologist with the Texas Parks and Wildlife’s wildlife diversity program.

Falcon Heights resident Berry Nall discovered the Leafwing while watching for butterflies near his home.

He put out ripened bananas and other fruit to attract the popular winged wonders.

Quinn said rotting fruit mixed with sugar and beer can lure the insects.

“It acts like a magnet,” he said. “A tried and true practice.”

Nall immediately began taking pictures of the Leafwing, which appeared again Sunday but hasn’t been spotted since.

Dr. Terry Fuller and his wife, Marci, spotted the Prepona on Sunday while visiting the North American Butterfly Association’s park in Mission with friends.

The large butterfly sat atop a fence post where rotten fruit was set. He didn’t recognize the butterfly, so he took photos of it and called his wife and friends over to see the insect.

“My goal … was to get as many pictures as possible to document it,” said Fuller, a neurologist from San Benito.

Like the Leafwing, the Prepona has a dull exterior. But the upper side of its wings are marked with two bright blue streaks atop a black setting.

“It’s a real dramatic butterfly,” he said.

One of Fuller’s friends shot video of the butterfly while his wife looked through reference books to find out its species.

On Monday, butterfly watchers visited the park in Mission hoping to catch a glimpse of the insect.

The butterfly remained in the same spot where the Fullers found it.

“It’s been quite a busy day,” said Sue Sill, the butterfly park’s executive director.

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Jennifer L. Berghom covers education and general assignments at The Monitor. She can be reached at (956) 683-4462.