Try for Free
tab list
Picture Insect
English
arrow
English
繁體中文
日本語
Español
Français
Deutsch
Pусский
Português
Italiano
한국어
Nederlands
العربية
Home Application Download FAQ
English
English
繁體中文
日本語
Español
Français
Deutsch
Pусский
Português
Italiano
한국어
Nederlands
العربية
Icon about
About
Icon about
General Info
Icon about
Search Tips
Icon about
Harmful or Not
Icon about
Beneficial Effects
Icon about
Common FAQs
Icon about
Similar Insects
Icon about
Popular Insects
Sword-tailed doctor

Sword-tailed doctor

Rhetus arcius

A species of Neotropical metalmarks, Also known as Sword-tailed beautymark

Rhetus arcius is a species of Neotropical butterfly, first described in Carl Linnaeus' 1763 Centuria Insectorum.

General Info About Sword-tailed doctor
Instantly identify insects with a snap
Snap a photo for instant insect ID and risk assessment, gaining quick insights on bite assessment, toxicity, pest control, behavior, habitat, and safe interaction tips, etc.
Download the App for Free
Rectangle
Attributes of Sword-tailed doctor
Colors
Black
White
Blue
Pink
Habitat
stream; ditch; rainforest; cloud forest habitat
Adult Food Sources
Nectar from various flowering plants
Larva Food Source
Leaves from specific host plants
Biting/stinging
Not reported
Allergy-causing
Not reported
Defensive attack
Not reported
Venomous
Not reported
Non-poisonous
The Sword-tailed doctor is non-toxic and generally doesn't pose a risk to human health. No need for excessive worry.
Borer
Not reported
Pollinator
The Sword-tailed doctor is often found near the corolla, where its fluffy hairs easily pick up pollen, assisting in the pollination of the plant.
Pest-Eating Predatory
Not reported
qrcode
Img download isoImg download android
Rectangle
Species Status of Sword-tailed doctor
Widespread
Rectangle
Distribution Area of Sword-tailed doctor
Mexico, Peru
Rectangle
Predators of Adult Sword-tailed doctor
Birds, spiders, lizards, mammals, prehensile-tailed insectivorous birds
Rectangle
Interesting Facts About Sword-tailed doctor
Despite its delicate appearance, sword-tailed doctor possesses a unique ability to skip across the water's surface, a rare trait for a butterfly.
Rectangle
Scientific Classification of Sword-tailed doctor
Tips for Finding Sword-tailed doctor
Your ultimate guide to understanding insects
Unlock the secrets of insect life cycles, habitats, behaviors and observation tips!!
Download the App for Free
Rectangle
Youth Habitat of Sword-tailed doctor
Tropical Rainforests
Rectangle
Adult Habitat of Sword-tailed doctor
Tropical Rainforests
Rectangle
When is the Best Time to Observe Sword-tailed doctor
The best time to find sword-tailed doctor is typically during the daytime, specifically late morning or early afternoon, when the temperature is warm enough for them to be active and foraging for food or seeking mates.
Rectangle
What is the Best Weather to Observe Sword-tailed doctor
Mild to warm weather with no strong winds or rain is most suitable for finding sword-tailed doctor, as these conditions allow them to fly and pollinate or feed without disturbance.
Rectangle
How and Where Can You Find Sword-tailed doctor at Different Life Stages
Egg Eggs of sword-tailed doctor are usually laid on the underside of host plant leaves. To find them, carefully inspect the host plants and look for small, often spherical or ovate eggs attached to the leaves.
Larva Sword-tailed doctor caterpillars can be found on or near their host plants. Look for signs of feeding damage on leaves and search the plant for the presence of the caterpillars, which may be camouflaged.
Pupal Sword-tailed doctor pupae may be attached to host plants or concealed in leaf litter. Searching around the host plant and gently sifting through leaf litter can reveal the pupae.
Adult Adult sword-tailed doctor can be found feeding on flower nectar or basking in the sun to warm their bodies. Visiting areas with flowering plants or using bait traps with fermented sweet substances can aid in locating these creatures.
Are Sword-tailed doctor harmful?
Your Complete Pest Control Guide
Discover effective tips for preventing and eliminating pest infestations to keep bugs away from your home.
Download the App for Free
Beneficial Effects of Sword-tailed doctor
Discover the hidden benefits of insects
Explore how insects help as pollinators, pest predators, and biocontrol agents. From seed dispersal to decomposition, they play vital roles in our ecosystem.
Download the App for Free
Pollinator
Pollinator
Pollination Behavior Reason
Eat Pollen Or Nectar
Sword-tailed doctor is attracted to the vibrant colors and the complex shapes of flowers. This pollinator engages in the act of consuming pollen directly from the flowers it visits. Despite appearing to dance from bloom to bloom, its main intention is to feed on the rich pollen that flowers provide.
Common Questions People Also Ask
Get Quick Insect Answers with a Snap
Snap a photo for instant insect ID and answers on bites, toxicity, pest control, behavior, habitat, and safety tips!
Download the App for Free
More Insects that are Similar to Sword-tailed doctor
Duke of burgundy
Duke of burgundy

The male has a wingspan of 1.1–1.2 in, and the female 1.2–1.3 in. The upperside of the wings are marked in a chequered pattern strongly reminiscent of a fritillary butterfly (family Nymphalidae); however, the duke of burgundy may be separated by its wing shape. Hamearis lucina also has a distinctive underwing pattern.

Read More
Arrow
Red-bordered metalmark
Red-bordered metalmark

Caria ino was described in 1886 by Godman & Salvin.

Read More
Arrow
Lampeto metalmark
Lampeto metalmark

Read More
Arrow
Sylphina Angel
Sylphina Angel

Chorinea sylphina (sylphina angel) is a species of butterfly of the family Riodinidae. It is found in Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. Adults fly in full sunshine, but occasionally settle beneath the leaves of bushes.

Read More
Arrow
Punch
Punch

The intricate wing patterns and vibrant hues, reminiscent of autumn foliage, distinguish punch as a visually stunning species. It partakes in a diet primarily consisting of the Rhamnaceae plant family's foliage during its larval stage, while adults preferentially nectar on a diverse array of flowering plants. This dietary adaptability through its life stages underscores its ecological role in pollination networks. Equipped with a proboscis adapted for feeding on the nectar, it not only derives nourishment but also contributes to the reproductive success of the flora it visits.

Read More
Arrow
Common Punch
Common Punch

This vibrantly hued common Punch flutters through forests with wings that display a striking contrast of orange and brown, speckled with white, serving as camouflage against the variegated backdrop of foliage and shadow. Caterpillars of this species exhibit remarkable mimicry, resembling bird droppings for defense, while adults prefer to feast on flower nectar, with a particular fondness for those blossoming on forest edges.

Read More
Arrow
Lesser Punch
Lesser Punch

This delicate creature flits through sun-dappled forest undergrowth, primarily in Southeast Asia. Sporting a complex and vivid wing pattern, lesser Punch engages in a unique mutualistic relationship with certain species of ants during its larval stage. The larvae secrete a sweet substance, drawing the ants near, which in turn offer the developing larvae protection from predators.

Read More
Arrow
Dyson's metalmark
Dyson's metalmark

This fluttering beauty exhibits a dazzling metallic hue with elongated tail filaments streaming from its hind wings; it's a true visual spectacle in motion. As a master of mimicry, it evades predators by adorning eye spots that mimic the gaze of larger creatures. In its larval stage, dyson's metalmark favors specific host plants, a testament to its intricate relationship with its ecosystem. With its remarkable wing patterns, it is not only a pollinator but also an integral part of the biological tapestry where it resides.

Read More
Arrow
Other Popular Insects
Western honey bee
Western honey bee

Western honey bee(Apis mellifera) is the most common species of honeybee in the world. Among the first domesticated insects, its cultural and economic impact on humanity has been vast and far-reaching, providing honey, wax and its services as a pollinator. Western honey bee faces challenges worldwide, such as colony collapse disorder, and populations are thought to be decreasing.

Read More
Arrow
Monarch butterfly
Monarch butterfly

The monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is the most recognizable butterfly in North America. It is best known for its appearance, but should be better known for the fact that it has a 3000-mile migration that takes the butterfly 4 generations to complete. Their diet is also a natural deterrent for predators, as they eat milkweed, a poison that induces vomiting.

Read More
Arrow
Japanese rhinoceros beetle
Japanese rhinoceros beetle

The japanese rhinoceros beetle (Trypoxylus dichotomus) is a massive beetle about the size of the palm of a hand. It's distinguished by its long Y-shaped horn, which it uses to fight other males with. It's a nocturnal bug that feeds on sap and sweet fruits. This species is sometimes kept as a pet due to its unique appearance and simple care requirements.

Read More
Arrow
Silkworm
Silkworm

The silken threads produced by silkworm during its larval stage have been highly coveted for millennia, manifesting as a luxurious fabric in human society. Remarkably, this creature has a singular diet, feeding exclusively on the leaves of its primary host plant from which it extracts the necessary nutrients to facilitate its transition into a non-feeding, winged adult.

Read More
Arrow
Menelaus blue morpho
Menelaus blue morpho

Menelaus blue morpho (Morpho menelaus) is a gorgeous butterfly with large, royal blue wings. Linnaeus named the genus Morpho the Aphrodite-Ancient Greek goddess of love and beauty for its extreme beauty. It is native to tropical rainforests. Though many butterfly gardens now cultivate them in captivity, there are still many people who never get a chance to see them.

Read More
Arrow
Atlas moth
Atlas moth

While the atlas moth (Attacus atlas) can't tell you where to find your country on the map, it does earn its name through other means. It is one of the largest moths in the world, with a wingspan that is far larger than its body, creating an abnormal comparison. In India, their silk is gathered in a non-commercial capacity and is considered to be more durable than the domestic silkworm.

Read More
Arrow
Flying peacock spider
Flying peacock spider

Both sexes reach about 5 mm in body length. Females and immatures of both sexes are brown but have color patterns by which they can be distinguished from related species. Also, the males dance to attract females.

Read More
Arrow
Multicolored asian ladybeetle
Multicolored asian ladybeetle

Often confused for the ladybug, multicolored asian ladybeetle (Harmonia axyridis) is a separate species that, unlike the ladybug, is a household pest. It is considered particularly annoying for its habit of returning to places from which it is removed. One of the most variable species in the world, there are many different colors and patterns multicolored asian ladybeetle may display, making identification potentially difficult.

Read More
Arrow