Kamehameha Butterfly

Natural history and identification

The Kamehameha butterfly is one of Hawaiʻi's two native butterflies. Its caterpillars use native nettle-family plants, particularly māmaki. Early caterpillars shelter in folded leaf margins, and the hanging chrysalis is unlike the spiny feeding larva. Conserving breeding habitat therefore involves the larval plants as well as places where adult butterflies are seen.

Kauaʻi occurrence and evidence

Atlas occurrence category: Present. The Kauaʻi record is classified as “Present”. Its cited evidence source is iNaturalist Kauaʻi checklist. Native Hawaiian butterfly; common-name-first display with Hawaiian name secondary.

Account coverage

Published species details have been added. A complete Kauaʻi-specific account of identification, habitat, feeding, reproduction, and population trend is not yet established by the sources linked here.

Names and classification

Scientific name

Vanessa tameamea

Common names

Kamehameha Butterfly

Hawaiian names

pulelehua

Family

Nymphalidae

Order

Lepidoptera

Record type

species

Kauaʻi occurrence and status

Kauaʻi occurrence

Present

Origin

Endemic

Conservation status

Not assessed

Process and seasonal context

Seasonal description

Kamehameha Butterfly (Vanessa tameamea) belongs to Nymphalidae in the order Lepidoptera. Its recorded origin status is endemic.

Sources and further reading

• iNaturalist Kauaʻi checklist
• Natural history and identification — species source