Hawaii State Insect

Kamehameha Butterfly (common name)
Vanessa tameamea (scientific name)

Overview

The Kamehameha butterfly, also called the pulelehua, is a Hawaiian native with black-tipped scarlet wings. The black points on the tips of the front wings each have five white dots, one near the tip, three in a row in the middle of the black area, and another near the red part of the wing. Each front wing also has three black dots in a row almost parallel to the butterfly’s body. On the back wings, the black border creates a curved red stripe. The Kamehameha has been Hawaii’s official insect since April 2009.

Close-up

STATUS

Official

PHYSICAL DETAILS

Wingspan: 2 1/2 in (6.3 cm)
Larvae: The nocturnal caterpillars are green and match the leaves on which they feed. They have a yellow stripe on each side and a few dark spines. The cocoon resembles a dry mamaki leaf.

LIFESPAN

Two to three weeks

HABITAT

High forests and clearings, particularly the edges of mesic and rain forest understory at altitudes of between 1,500 and 4,000 feet.

Range: All Hawaiian Islands except Ni'ihau and Kaho'olawe
Flight period: November to January
Conservation status: Not evaluated

BEHAVIOR

Adults lay eggs on mamaki (Pipturus albidus), a type of nettle.
Larva: Nocturnal caterpillars shelter in cut, folded leaves during the day and feed after sunset.  

DIET

Adults: Butterflies feed on koa tree sap.
Larvae: Diet is exclusively mamaki, the nettle where adults lay eggs.

TRIVIA

• The Kamehameha is one of only two butterflies native to Hawaii.
• The butterfly is named in honor of Hawaiian king Kamehameha.

Click to enlarge an image

Kamehameha Butterfly

CLASSIFICATION
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Nymphalidae
Genus:	Vanessa
Species:	V. tameamea

Author: World Trade Press