Introduction
The genus Eurema has a worldwide distribution, with 19 species found in the neotropical region.
On the upperside some species such as albula have a pure white or whitish ground colour, but the males of most others are some shade of yellow with a black apex and wing borders. Females tend to be paler with narrower borders. The shape of the wings varies according to species – some have rounded wings while others such as salome have a squarish apex, and have the hindwings drawn out to form a short tail.
The upperside forewings of male Eurema elathea are yellowish, with a broad blackish-brown apex, and a broad straight blackish bar along the inner margin ( dorsum ). The hindwings of the male are white, with a broad dark brown border. This species can easily be confused with daira, but the latter has a slightly curved bar on the forewings, rather than the straight bar of elathea. Females of both species lack the bar. They have white forewings and hindwings, both with broad dark borders.
Eurema elathea occurs from the USA to Paraguay, and is also present on most Caribbean islands.
Habitats
Like most other Eurema species this butterfly breeds in disturbed semi-open forest edge habitats, including roadsides, riverbanks, secondary forest and farmland. It occurs at altitudes between sea level and about 1800m.
Lifecycle
The larval foodplants are Zornia and Stylosanthes ( Fabaceae ).
Adult behaviour
This species is usually encountered as colonies comprising of dozens or hundreds of individuals, which can be seen fluttering slowly amongst low herbage in disturbed forest edge habitats.
Both sexes nectar at low growing flowers and at Lantana bushes. Unlike other Eurema species, the males of elathea do not normally mud-puddle or visit river beaches.