Eurema albula (Cramer, 1775)

Common Name:
White Grass Yellow/Ghost Yellow
Synonyms:
Papilio albula (Cramer, 1775)
Natural History:

Fragile butterflies and small (30-35mm wingspan). Are observed visiting flowers in open forest, secondary forest and woodlands in urban areas. 

The females of Eurema albula lay eggs in buds or young leaves. The caterpillars are green and cryptic on the host-plant. Adults seek food visiting plants with flowers, flying in flocks or solitary (Berti Filho & Cerignoni, 2010). Natural enemies are ants, spiders, wasps, birds  (Gomes Filho, 1997).

Distribution:
Argentina; Brasil; Colombia; Costa Rica; México; Perú; Suriname; Uruguay; Venezuela
Feeding Adult:

Adults feed on nectar

Feeding Caterpillars:

According compiled by Beccaloni et al. (2008), are host-plants:

Leguminosae-Caesalpinioideae: Parkinsonia aculeataCassia sp., Senna alata,Senna corymbosa, Senna fruticosa, Senna papillosa spp.

Leguminosae - Papilionoideae: Medicago sativaGlycine max (Biezanko et al. 1974).

Simaroubaceae: Picramnia antidesma fessonia

Color:
black
Habitat:
urban, open, open forest / meadow, anthropogenic
Publications:
Berti Filho E., Cerignoni J.A. (2010):
Borboletas. Book., Piracicaba, FEALQ: 1-94
Beccaloni G.W, Viloria A.L., Hall S.K., Robinson G.S. (2008):
Catalogue of the hostplants of the Neotropical butterflies. Book., London, S.E.A., Ribes, CYTED, Natural History Museum, IVIC: 1-536
Biezanko C.M., Agustin Ruffinelli, Link D. (1974):
Plantas y otras sustancias alimenticias de las orugas de los lepidopteros uruguayos. Rev. Centro Ciências Rurais. 4: 107-148
Eurema albula nature

Visiting flowers in an urban forest 

Bosque da Ciência, Manaus AM

Photo: Kelve F. Sousa

eurema albula dorsal

From dorsal

Specimen deposited in the Collection of Invertebrates INPA, Amazonas

eurema albula ventral

From ventral

Specimen deposited in the Collection of Invertebrates INPA, Amazonas