Myscelia cyaniris

Myscelia cyaniris
Myscelia cyaniris
Dorsal view
Ventral view
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Myscelia
Species: M. cyaniris
Binomial name
Myscelia cyaniris
Doubleday, [1848][1]
Synonyms
  • Cybdelis cyaniris

The Blue Wave Butterfly, Blue-banded Purplewing, Tropical Blue Wave, Whitened Bluewing or Royal Blue (Myscelia cyaniris) is a butterfly of the Nymphalidae family.

Contents

Description

The length of the forewings reaches about 34–36 millimetres (1.3–1.4 in). The dorsal sides of the upperwings are bright blue with white transversal bands and white spots. The sapphire blue of the upper wings may appear black or neon blue depending on how the light is reflected. The under sides of the hind wings have a cryptic coloration as they are mottled with different shades of color, varying from gray to brown, while the under sides of the fore wings are black with white patches. The larvae feed on Dalechampia triphylla and Adelia triloba (Euphorbiaceae family). Adults usually feed on rotting fruit or animal dung.

Distribution

It is found in Central America and northern South America, from Mexico to Honduras, Costa Rica, Panama, Venezuela, Ecuador and Peru.

Habitat

It is found from sea level to 700 m (2,300 ft) on the Atlantic slopes and is associated with rain forest habitats.[2]

Gallery

  • Dorsal view of Myscelia cyaniris

  • Myscelia cyaniris

Subspecies

  • Myscelia cyaniris cyaniris (Mexico to Panama, Honduras, Costa Rica)
  • Myscelia cyaniris albescens Hall, 1935 (Venezuela)
  • Myscelia cyaniris alvaradia Maza & Díaz, 1982 (Mexico)
  • Myscelia cyaniris millerorum Jenkins, 1984 (Ecuador)

References

  1. ^ Myscelia, Site of Markku Savela
  2. ^ Species info

External links

Stub icon This article related to members of the butterfly sub-family Biblidinae is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.