Cyna Blue (Zizula cyna)

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Lycaenidae
Subfamily: Polyommatinae
Tribe: Polyommatini
Genus: Zizula
Species: Z. cyna

General: The Cyna Blue (Zizula cyna) is a butterfly of the Lycaenidae family. It is found from southern Texas, south through Mexico, Central America and South America to Argentina. Strays can be found up to northern Texas, southern Arizona and Kansas. They are usually found in subtropical areas and deserts.

The wingspan is 16–22 mm (5/8-7/8 of an inch.). Adults are on wing from March to November.

It's upper-side is a violet-blue, while it's underside is a pale gray covered in tiny black dots.

The larvae feed on flower buds of Acanthaceae species. Adults feed on flower nectar.

Ithomia iphianassa Doubleday [1847]

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Papilionoidea
Genus: Ithomia
Specific name: iphianassa - Doubleday [1847]
Binominal name: - Ithomia iphianassa Doubleday [1847]

Colias cesonia - STOLL 1790 - Southern Dogface

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Suborder: Ditrysia
Superfamily: Papilionoidea
Family: Pieridae (Duponchel, 1835)
Subfamily: Coliadinae
Genus: Colias
Species: C. cesonia

The Southern Dogface, Colias cesonia, is a American butterfly in the family Pieridae, subfamily Coliadinae (sometimes it is placed in the related genus Zerene instead of Colias).

The upper side of the pointed fore wings have a dogface pattern. The wings are mainly yellow with black borders. The under side of the wings is mostly yellow with a black eyespot on the fore wing and two white spots on the hind wing.

This butterfly can be found in short-grass prairie hills, open woodlands, and near road edges. Both male and female Southern Dogfaces may be seen feeding at flowers such as Alfalfa, Coreopsis sp., Houstonia sp., and Verbena sp.. Males are also fond of puddling. Its host plants include Lead Plant Amorpha canescens, False Indigo Amorpha fruticosa, Soy Bean Glycine max, Alfalfa Medicago sativa, Black Dalea Dalea frutescens, Purple Prairie Clover Dalea purpurea, and clover Trifolium sp.. Males patrol areas for females. The male is the active flight partner. The green-white eggs are laid on the underside of the host plant leaves. The larva is green with a white stripe running down each side of its body. The green chrysalis hangs up right with a silken girdle around itself.

Lasaia agesilas (Latreille, 1809)

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Riodinidae
Genus: Lasaia
Species: L. agesilas

Common Names:
Black-Patched Blue Metalmark, Black-Spotted Bluemark, Shining-blue Lasaia

Smyrna blomfildia FABRICIUS, 1781

Blomfild's Bark Wing
Smyrna blomfildia FABRICIUS, 1781
Family - NYMPHALIDAE
subfamily - NYMPHALINAE
Tribe - NYMPHALINI
Introduction

The tribe Coeini comprises 6 genera - Colobura, Baeotus, Historis, Pycina, Smyrna and Tigridia.

There are 2 species in the genus Smyrna, namely karwinskii which is found in Mexico, and the more widespread blomfildia which is distributed from Mexico to Bolivia.

Habitats

This species is found in primary and secondary forest at altitudes between sea level and 1200m.

Lifecycle

(?)

Adult behaviour

Males of Smyrna blomfildia are often seen in aggregations of a dozen or more, imbibing mineralised moisture from rocky overhangs, stone walls, or tree boughs. They also visit fallen fruit on the forest floor, or in orchards.

When resting or feeding the butterflies usually keep their wings closed, but if disturbed they will flick them half-open momentarily. They are not nervous in disposition however, and in the presence of human intruders they will continue feeding long after most other species have fled.

In common with their relatives in the genera Colobura and Tigridia, they roost overnight on tree trunks, on which they are superbly camouflaged.

Adelpha iphicla ♂

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Division: Rhopalocera
Superfamily: Papilionoidea
Family: Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Limenitidinae
Genus: Adelpha Hübner, 1819
Species: Adelpha iphicla

This butterfly has a wing expansion of 40mm and is distributed from Mexico to Colombia and Venezuela. In Venezuela it can find the North Central region. Vuelab on the tops of the trees and down to drink in the wet ground or in sand banks of the rivers. It has a rapid flight and is very nervous and difficult to be seen up close.
The upper surface of the wings in the male is brown with marginal and submarginal longitudinal bands of black. In the forewing has a spot to oblique, yellow-orange. A white middle band runs across both wings. In the anal angle is a small patch of reddish yellow color. The distal margin of the wings is slightly indented.
The underside of the wings, has the same white band of the upper face. The other spots are seen with smooth coloration.
The female are larger than males and have the same color on the wing upper surface. And on the ventral surface of the wings are lighter colored.

Callicore pitheas ♂ (Latreille, 1811) -"Two-eyed Eighty-eigh"

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
(unranked): Rhopalocera
Superfamily: Papilionoidea
Family: Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Biblidinae
Tribe: Callicorini
Genus: Callicore - Hübner, 1819
Species: Callicore pitheas -Latreille, 1811

This butterfly has a wing expansion of 50mm and is distributed in Panamá, Colombia, Venezuela and part of Brasil Amazonian. In Venezuela it can find the North Central coast mountain range, often over 560 m.a.s.l. It has very a rapid flight and is very nervous and difficult to found posed.
The upper surface of the wings in the male is brown with marginal and submarginal longitudinal bands of black. In the forewing has a spot to oblique, yellow-orange. A white middle band runs across both wings. In the anal angle is a small patch of reddish yellow color. The distal margin of the wings is slightly indented.
The underside of the wings, has the same white band of the upper face. The other spots are seen with smooth coloration.
The female are larger than males and have the same color on the wing upper surface. And on the ventral surface of the wings are lighter colored.

Papilio androgeus androgeus Cramer, [1775] - "Giant Swallowtail"

Kingdom: Animalia
Division: Rhopalocera
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Papilionidae
Subfamily: Papilioninae
Tribe: Papilionini
Genus: Papilio
Species: androgeus
Sub-species: androgeus

Range: Colombia, Bolivia, Brasil (Matto grosso) y Venezuela. Small populations are registered in Florida (USA).

Identification: Wing upper surface is dark brown, almost black on the distal margin of hind wings and a little more clear on the forewings. Dorsal and ventral wings crossed by a bright yellow spot with two spots of the same color in the discal cell of fore wings.
The abdomen is yellow with a brown longitudinal line and the head and Toras are almost black.
The undersides of the wings, amrilla stain is less intense and wider. The margin of the forewing is brown and the margin of the hindwing has lines of blue and orange yellow spots.
The females are very different, with dark brown in full body, yellow spot more small in wings, accompanied by some blue dot and a red line flow.

Life history: Males patrol for receptive females. Eggs are laid singly; caterpillars resemble bird droppings. Chrysalids overwinter.

Wing span: 13.4 - 14 cm.

Caterpillar hosts: Leaves of trees in citrus (Rutaceae) family orange (Citrus sinensis) and Zanthoxylum elephantiasis.

Arawacus togarna (Hewitson, 1867) (Togarna Hairstreak)

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Lycaenidae
Genus: Arawacus
Species: togarna

Eueides isabella (Stoll, 1781) -Isabella's Heliconian or Isabella's Tiger

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae - Brushfooted Butterflies
Subfamily: Heliconiinae - Heliconians and fritillaries
Genus: Eueides
Specific name: isabella
Scientific name: Eueides isabella (Stoll, 1781)

NOTE: I'm not sure, but I think this may be sub-species: "Eueides isabella dynastes - C. &. R. Felder, 1861" - Found only in Venezuela and Colombia.

Description: Eggs are cream coloured and approximately 1 x 0.9 mm (h x w). Females usually place 1 to 3 eggs under older and younger leaves of the host plant. Mature larvae have a black body with orange and yellow stripes and white bands, with black and white scoli and head, orange anal cap; length is around 1.7 cm. Caterpillars are gregarious in small numbers (Brown, 1981). Pupae are greenish white with black markings on the wingpads and short spines on dorsum that are tipped black (DeVries, 1997).

Habits: E. isabella occurs from sea level to 1,500 m in secondary forests. Females mate multiply, often on hilltops. Adults roost solitarily at night under leaves (Brown, 1981).

Hostplant: E. isabella larvae feed primarily on plants from the subgenera Distephana and Granadilla (Passifloraceae)(Brown, 1981). In Costa Rica larvae feed on Passiflora platyloba, and P. ambigua (Passifloraceae) (DeVries, 1997).

Distribution: Eueides isabella is widely distributed from Central America to Brazil and also on the Greater Antilles. The map below shows an approximate representation of the geographic distribution of this species.

Actinote anteas (Doubleday, [1847])

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Sub-family: Heliconiinae
Scientific name: Actinote anteas (Doubleday, [1847])

Anthanassa tulcis - (Pale-banded Crescent)

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Papilionoidea
Family: Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Nymphalinae
Genus: Anthanassa
Species: tulcis

Other Common Names: Tulcis Crescent

Wing span: 1 1/4 - 1 3/8 inches (3.2 - 3.5 cm).

Identification: Outer margin of forewing is only slightly indented. Upperside is black with white markings; hindwing with wide white median band.

Life history: Eggs are laid in batches on underside of host plant leaves; caterpillars feed at night in groups.

Synonyms and other taxonomic changes: Phyciodes tulcis - placement in genus Anthanassa follows classification at All-Leps and Opler & Warren

Food: larvae feed on foldwing (Dicliptera spp.) in the acanthus family / Adult food: Flower nectar.

Habitat: Second growth and open fields.

Februa Cracker - Hamadryas februa - HÜBNER, 1823

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Sub-family: Nymphalinae
Scientific name: Hamadryas februa

Introduction:
There are 20 members of the genus Hamadryas, commonly known as Crackers due to the ability of the males of several species to produce a clearly audible sound which is similar to the crackling of bacon in a frying pan.

The sound is produced as the butterflies take off, and is made by twanging a pair of spiny rods at the tip of the abdomen against bristles on the valvae ( the male's anal claspers ). Only males can produce the sound, but both sexes can detect it - their wings have tiny hollow cells covered in membranes which vibrate in response to sound and stimulate nerve endings. The purpose of the sound is not fully understood : it may deter competing males from occupying the same territory, and may also act as a trigger to initiate the first response from a female during courtship.

Hamadryas butterflies use their ears to detect crackling noises made by territorial males. The sound is made by twanging 2 tiny prongs on the tip of the abdomen against bristles on the valvae. The males habitually bask on tree trunks, where they wait to intercept passing females.

All Hamadryas species have a beautiful calico pattern on the upperside. In many there is a series of submarginal ocelli on the hindwings, and distinct kidney-shaped stigmata in the discal cells of fore and hind wings. In several species such as februa and glauconome the ground colour is greyish and the pattern acts as an extremely effective camouflage against the bark of trees. In other species such as amphinome, laodamia and velutina the wings are velvety black with a blue sheen and a pattern of bright blue spots.

Most Hamadryas species are found only in Central and South America, although 8 have been recorded sporadically in the southern USA.

Hamadryas februa is the commonest and most widespread species, found from southern Texas to Uruguay and Paraguay.

Habitats:
This species is found in degraded rainforest and deciduous forest habitats, including orchards and the forested margins of cattle ranches, at altitudes between sea level and about 800 metres.

Adult behaviour:
In common with other Hamadryas species februa can often be seen basking on tree trunks, in a head-downward position and with the wings flattened against the bark. They will bask in this position for long periods to await potential mates. They commonly settle at a height of about 2 metres but if disturbed by humans they fly up and resettle higher up, either on the same tree or on another nearby. They remain high in the trees until the intruder leaves, and then descend the tree trunk in a series of short flights, dropping a short distance each time until after several minutes they resume their original position.

The butterflies are active from sunrise to sunset, and are rarely seen away from tree trunks, but also sometimes bask on rock faces or tree foliage. On a few occasions I have also seen them settling on the ground in lightly vegetated forest clearings.

Primrose Flag - Melete lycimnia - CRAMER, 1777

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Pieridae
Genus: Melete
Specific name: Melete lycimnia

Introduction:
The Pieridae is divided into 3 subfamilies. The Dismorphiinae, with a very small number of exceptions, is entirely neotropical in distribution. The Coliadinae ( Sulphurs and Yellows ) and Pierinae ( Whites and Orange tips ) however have worldwide distribution.

There are 217 members of the Pierinae in the neotropical region. These include familiar Holarctic
( Eurasian and North American ) genera such as Pieris, Pontia and Anthocharis, and others such as Pereute, Catasticta and Melete which are found only in Central and South America.

The genus Melete contains 6 species, characterised by having a black bar at the end of the forewing discal cell, a black fw apex, and in most species a dark border to the hind-wings. Apart from these markings the wings are usually a unicolorous yellow or white.

Melete lycimnia occurs in several geographical forms. On the underside, subspecies peruviana has a white ground colour, narrow black borders, and a yellow spot at the base of the hindwings. At the other extreme the nominate subspecies lycimnia has the underside hindwings primrose yellow, with wide brown borders. In all subspecies the females are more yellowish in colouration than the males

Habitats:
This is a lowland rainforest species, occurring at elevations between sea level and about 800m.

Adult behaviour:
Males are a regular sight along forest edge habitats on the banks of rivers, and at roadsides, where they gather to imbibe mineral-laden moisture from sand or mud. They often congregate in dense clusters of 50 or more butterflies, packed very tightly together, which erupt nervously into flight if disturbed.

Females are not in my experience seen in such open situations, staying instead in the forest interior. They do not visit flowers in the understorey, or along forest roads, so presumably feed at the nectar of arboreal flowers. Their flight is direct and fairly rapid, interrupted by long periods at rest on foliage in the sub canopy.