Kamehameha Butterfly
The Kamehameha butterfly has been recorded from all the main Hawaiian Islands, but relies on native plants, so is generally restricted to areas near native forest. If you see potential Kamehameha butterfly adults, caterpillars, or eggs, please photograph them and upload your observations. See our website, www.KamehamehaButterfly.com, for more info on how to recognize the Kamehameha butterfly and common introduced orange and black butterflies of Hawaii. The primary food plant for the caterpillar is māmaki (Pipturus albidus), but it also occurs on less common native plants in the family Urticaceae, including ōpuhe (Urera spp.), ʻākōlea (Boehmeria grandis), olonā (Touchardia latifolia), and maʻoloa (Neraudia spp.). The caterpillars of the Kamehameha butterfly often fold up the leaf to create a little shelter for themselves. Eggs, which are laid on the underside of leaves, are tiny and round with lines or ridges running down the sides. Sign in to join mission
