GRAY CRACKER BUTTERFLY

The Gray Cracker (Hamadryas februa) is a species of cracker butterfly in the Nymphalidae family. It is found from Argentina north through tropical America to Mexico. Rare strays can be found up to the lower Rio Grande Valley in southern Texas. The habitat consists of subtropical forests, forest edges and cultivated areas with trees.

NOTE: This particular form of Gray Cracker has historically been referred to as the Pale Cracker (Hamadryas amphichloe); however, recent taxonomy has classified it as a subspecies of the Gray Cracker (Hamadryas februa ferox).

Family: Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Biblidinae
Identification: Upper surface is patterned with brown, gray, and tan; outer half of forewing is lighter and there is a red bar in the cell.