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 usually some shade of yellow, with a black apex and wing borders. The females of all species tend to be paler, with narrower borders. The wing shape varies according to species – some have very 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 daira 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 elathea, but the latter has a straight bar on the forewings, rather than the curved bar of daira. Females of both species lack the bar. They have white forewings and hindwings, both with broad dark borders.
Eurema daira is distributed from the USA to Peru. It also occurs on most Caribbean islands.
Habitats
Like most other Eurema species this butterfly breeds in disturbed semi-open forest edge habitats, which may include roadsides, riverbanks, secondary forest and farmland. It occurs at altitudes between sea level and about 1400m.
Lifecycle
To be completed.
Adult behaviour
This species is usually encountered as colonies of several dozen individuals, which can be seen fluttering slowly amongst low herbage in disturbed forest edge habitats. Both sexes nectar at low growing flowers.