NYMPHALIDAE BRUSHFOOT BUTTERFLIES FAUNA PARAGUAY

NYMPHALIDAE - NYMPHALID BUTTERFLIES
An extremely variable group, the Nymphalids make up about 6000 species worldwide. A wide variety of wing shapes, sizes and colours are present.

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Click on the species links to access the FAUNA Paraguay Handbook of Paraguayan Fauna Species Account.

Characteristics
Nymphalids have elongated chaetosemata running parallel to the eye margin. Maxillary palpi are single segmented and labial palpi ascending. Most antennal segments have two antennal grooves. Epiphysis absent. Forelegs are reduced so that they may appear to be "four-legged insects" and are used only by female Libytheinae for walking. Males have a reduced number of tarsomeres and lack a pretarsus. Tibial spur formula 0-2-2 or 0-0-0. Humeral vein present in the hindwing. In some groups small tympanal organs are present in swollen bases of certain wing veins. (Scoble 1995).

Life Cycles
Life cycles are predictably diverse, but eggs are usually laid in clusters. Eggs may be spherical, barrel-shaped or conical. Early instar larvae are commonly gregarious and many construct silk shelters on their foodplants. Larvae are diverse, often possessing scoli, filaments and protruberances and secondary setae are abundant. Crochets are usually in triodrinal mesoseries, only occasionally uni- or biordinal. Pupae are usually suspended by the cremaster, but occasionally a weak cocoon is formed. (Scoble 1995).

Classification
Recent reviews of the taxonomy of Nymphalidae have dramatically changed the classification of this family. Under the new arrangement ten subfamilies of the family Nymphalidae are represented in Paraguay. We currently have images of 156 species in this family. Figures in brackets after the subfamilial names refer to the number of species for which we currently have images. (Brower 2000; Wahlberg et al 2003; Freitas & Brown 2004).
Click the subfamilial links for a comparative gallery of all the species in the subfamily.

Superfamily Papilionoidea: Family Nymphalidae.

Subfamily Apaturinae (4) Emperors
Strikingly-coloured, robust Nymphalids with cryptic underwing, creating a flash effect to escape predators. Flight is fast and direct and they share many characteristics with the Charaxinae. One of the most obvious characters of the subfamily is the green proboscis which, despite the superficial resemblance of many species to the Limenitidini, immediately distinguishes the emperors. They feed on dung, carrion and rotting fruits and are often attracted to drink sweat from humans. Sexually dimorphic. Larvae with bifid "tails". (Canals 2003).
*Purple Emperor Doxocopa agathina - Turquí
*Indigo Emperor Doxocopa kallina - Indigo
*Turquoise Emperor Doxocopa laurentia - Zafiro
*Linda Emperor Doxocopa linda mileta - Linda

Subfamily Biblidinae (33) Biblids
Approximately 340 species. Small to medium-sized, often colourful species, with rapid, bouncing flight style. Most species rest with wings folded, the large hindwing often obscuring much of the forewing. The majority of the species in the Biblidinae are Neotropical. In older literature it was referred to as Eurytelinae.
Tribe Ageroniini
*Ectima thecla - Pororó mini
*Red Clicker Hamadryas amphinome - Clic rojiza
*White Clicker Hamadryas epinome - Clic blanco
*Red-spotted Clicker Hamadryas feronia
*Grey Clicker Hamadryas februas - Clic lúnulas rojas
*Yellow Clicker Hamadryas fornax
Tribe Biblidini
*Red Rim Biblis hyperia - Alas sangrantes
*Mestra dorcas
Tribe Callicorini
*Little Callicore Callicore hydaspes - Pará Mini
*Blue-bordered Callicore Callicore pygas - Pará guasu
*Zigzag Callicore Callicore sorana - Pará zigzag
*Number Eighty Diaethria candrena - Ochenta
*Number Eighty-Eight Diaethria clymena - Ochenta y ocho
*Blaze Haematera pyrame - Llamarada
*False Callicore Paulogramma pyracmon - Pará mediana
Tribe Epicalini
*Catonephele acontius
*Stoplight Catone Catonephele numilia - Terciopelo manchado
*Orsis Bluewing Myscelia orsis - Yin-yang
*Ivory Eunica eburnia - Marfil
*Eunica maja - Maja
*Purplewing Eunica tatila - Dulce
Tribe Epiphilini
*Epiphile hubneri - Marcada anaranjada
*Little Beauty Nica flavilla - Aritos
*Redring Pyrrhogyra neaerea arge
*Mocha Temenis laothoe - Mocha
Tribe Eubagini
*Spectacled Sailor Dynamine aerata - Gota de anteojos
*Edged Sailor Dynamine agacles - Gota ribeteada
*Small Eyed Sailor Dynamine artemisia - Gota de monóculo
*Lined Sailor Dynamine athemon - Gota con línea
*Whitespot Sailor Dynamine coenus - Gota blanca
*Plain Sailor Dynamine myrrhina
*Four-spotted Sailor Dynamine postverta - Gota ocelada
*Blind Sailor Dynamine tithia - Gota ciega

Subfamily Limenitidinae (6) Sisters
The most distinctive behavioural characteristic of this group that is obvious in the field is the flap and glide flight style. Certain larval and pupal characteristics are unique to this group.
Download publication: Wilmott K 2003 - The Genus Adelpha: its Systematics, Biology and Biogeography.
Tribe Limenitidini
Adelpha abia
Adelpha calliphane
*Spotless Sister Adelpha epyzigis
Adelpha falcipennis
Adelpha hyas
*Adelpha iphicleola
Adelpha iphiclus
Adelpha lycorias
*Spot-winged Sister Adelpha malea - Goyama
Adelpha melona
Adelpha mesentina
Adelpha mythra
Adelpha serpa
*Syma Sister Adelpha syma - Syma
Adelpha thesprotia
*Adelpha thessalia - Tésala
Adelpha thoasa
*Zea Sister Adelpha zea - Zea

Subfamily Cyrestinae (2) Daggerwings
Daggerwings are fast-flying, boldly-coloured butterflies, with long, falcated forewings and cryptic underwing patterns. They frequently fly high and feed on rotting fruit, dung and carrion, coming to ground to "puddle" solitarily. Many species are "tailed" in the adult form. Globally there are only three genera and the tribe is most speciose in South East Asia, though the genus Marpesia is entirely Neotropical.
Tribe Cyrestini
*Tiger Daggerwing Marpesia chiron - Mario
*Ruddy Daggerwing Marpesia petreus - Daga

Subfamily Charaxinae (11) Leafwings
Widespread in the tropics, but barely reaching temperate regions. They are robust forest dwellers, fast-flying and colourful dorsally, though the ventral surface is typically cryptic and leaf-like. They feed on carrion, dung and rotting fruit. Larvae feed on a variety of plants, though any one species is typically restricted to a single plant family or group of families. The larval head is distinctive and bears one or two pairs of horns. (Scoble 1995).
Tribe Preponini
*One-spotted Prepona Archaeoprepona demophon - Demofonte
*Two-spotted Prepona Archaeoprepona demophoon - Demophoon
*Archaeoprepona meander
Tribe Anaeini
*Consul fabius
*Tailed Purple Leafwing Fountainea glycerium - Purpúrea coluda
*Fountainea ryphea
*Clytemnestra Hypna clytemnestra - Clitemnestra
*Memphis acidalia victoria
*Laurel Leafwing Memphis moruus coerulescens
*Spotted Memphis Memphis stheno
*Zaretis isodora

Subfamily Danainae (17) Monarchs, Clearwings and Tigerwings
The tribe Danaini are the Monarchs (or Milkweed Butterflies). They are robust butterflies, at their most speciose in the Oriental region. Their monophyly is supported by paires, sheathed and eversible hairpencils on the male abdomen and strongly clubbed, spinose, four-segmented pretarsi in the female. Hairpencils are everted by the pressure of haemolymph and withdrawn with retractor muscles. Larval instars after the first stage have one to nine pairs of fleshy dorsal tubercles and aposematic colouration, typically with hoops or stripes. Foodplants are mainly Asclepiadaceae, Apocynaceae and Moraceae. Adults typically bear aposematic colouration and are impalatable to predators. Some species are migratory. (Scoble 1995). The tribe Ithomiini, the Clearwings and Tigerwings, were formerly afforded subfamily rank. This tribe includes around 300 species restricted to the Neotropics. Many are involved in mimic rings with the toxic Heliconiinae, imitating both colouration and flight style, though they possess no toxins themselves and are perfectly palatable to would-be predators. The antennae are scaled. Tarsus of the female foreleg is four- or five-segmented but not strongly clubbed. Larvae feed largely on Solanaceae. In the past they have been considered part of the Danaiinae, but now considered to comprise a separate subfamily. (Scoble 1995).
Tribe Danaini
*Empress Danaus eresimus - Emperatriz
*Monarch Danaus erippus - Monarca
*Queen Danaus gilippus - Reina
*Tiger Mimic Queen Lycorea halia - Halia
*Crystal Queen Lycorea ilione - Reina cristalina
Tribe Ithomiini
*Olena Clearwing Aeria olena - Grácil
*Big-bordered Dircenna Dircenna dero - Celtina
*Crystalina Episcada hymeneae - Cristalina
*Watermark Epityches eupompe - Filigrana
*Yellow-banded Crystalina Mcclungia (cymo) salonina - Cristalina mancha amarilla
*Themisto Clearwing Methona themisto - Temisto
*Blue Crystalina Pteronymia sylvo - Sylvo
*Placidina euryanassa - Española
*Euclea Tigerwing Hypothyris euclea (ssp. laphria ??) - Yvoty
*Confused Tigerwing Mechanitis lysimnia - Multicolor
*Bluish Crystallina Pseudoscada errusca - Cristalina azulada
*Harmonia Tigerwing Tithorea harmonia - Armoniosa

Subfamily Heliconiinae (13) Longwings
Disputed taxonomic history and have at time been considered to be specialised members of the tribe Argynnini in the subfamily Nymphalinae. New World butterflies, the vast majority of which are Neotropical, with about 70 descibed species. Larvae feed on toxic Passifloraceae and the toxicity is carried into adulthood. Most species have aposematic colouration and a slow, fluttery flight designed to advertise their impalatability. Most adults feed on nectar, though some feed on pollen. Larvae have six rows of spines arranged longitudinally with a single pair of spines on the head. Many species are involved in mimic rings, especially with members of the Ithomiinae. (Scoble 1995).
Tribe Acraeini
*Actinote carycina
*Reddish Lazy Actinote pellenea - Perezosa
Tribe Argynnini
*Neotropical Fritillary Euptoieta hegesia - Falsa Hortensia
* Hortensia Fritillary Euptoieta hortensia - Hortensia
Tribe Heliconiini
*Gulf Fritillary Agraulis vanillae maculosa - Espejitos
*Juno Dione juno - Juno oscura
*Silverspot Dione moneta
*Banded Orange Dryadula phaetusa
*Julia Dryas iulia - Julia
*Juliette Eueides aliphera
*Isabella´s Tiger Longwing Eueides isabella
*Crimson-patched Longwing Heliconius erato - Erato
*Rainbow Longwing Heliconius ethilla - Arco iris

Subfamily Libytheinae (1) Snouts
Labial palpi are greatly elongated, forming a distinctive "snout". They are widespread but only 10 species are recognised. Crochets of larvae form a pseudocircle of biordinal mesoseries with a few uniordinal crochets in lateroseries. They are smooth, lack head processes and do not have a bifid "tail". They feed on membes of the Ulmaceae. (Scoble 1995).
*Southern Snout Libytheana carinenta - Picuda

Subfamily Nymphalinae (23) Brushfoot Butterflies
Formerly much larger the Nymphalinae included several other groups that have now been separated into distinct subfamilies. Nymphalids have reduced forelegs in both sexes and the larvae often bear spines. Live cycles are diverse but many species feed on Acanthaceae or Urticaceae. (Scoble 1995).
Tribe Coeini
*Historis odius - Popenó
Tribe Junoniini
*Tropical Buckeye Junonia genoveva - Pavo real
Tribe Melitaeini
*Spotted Crescent Anthanassa frisia - Salpicada
*Bordered Patch Chlosyne lacinia - Naranjita
*Lansdorf´s False Erato Eresia lansdorfii - Falsa erato
*Ortilia ithra - Mbatará
*Dicoma Crescent Phyciodina dicoma - Alitas largas
*Phyciodina orthia
*Burnished Brown Phyciodina velica - Marroncita
*Phystis simois
*Claudina´s Crescent Tegosa claudina - Claudina
*Incense Crescent Tegosa orobia - Incienso
Tribe Nymphalini
*Zebra Butterfly Colobura dirce - Cebrita
*Beautiful Mapwing Hypanartia bella - Bella
*Orange Mapwing Hypanartia lethe - Lethe
*Blomfild´s Beauty Smyrna blomfildia - Dibujada
*Double-eyed Painted Lady Vanessa braziliensis - Dama dos ojos
*Four-eyed Painted Lady Vanessa carye - Dama cuatro ojos
*Banded Lady Vanessa myrinna - Dama fajada
Tribe Victorinini
*Scarlet Peacock Anartia amathea - Princea roja
*White Peacock Anartia jatrophae - Princesa perlada
*Trayja Page Siproeta epaphus trayja - Epafos moreno
*Malachite Page Siproeta stelenes - Itaovy guasú

Subfamily Satyrinae (46) Satyrs, Morphos and Owl Butterflies
Around 1500 species globally, the Satyrs (Satyrini and Melanitini) are butterflies of shady areas and forest undergrowth. Typically brown in colour with cryptic underwing patterns often with lines and ocelli, and bases of wing veins are often swollen. Larvae usually bear cephalic horns and a bifid "tail". Predominant foodplants are monocotyledons. (Scoble 1995). Confined to the Neotropics, two distinct tribes are present, both formerly separated as subfamilies. The Morphos (Morphini) are arguably the most eyecatching of Paraguayan butterflies, being large and bright blue in colour. They feed largely on rotting fruit and excrement. Most larvae feed on dicotyledonous plants. The Owl Butterflies (Brassolini) are typically large and fast-flying, being characterised by the presence of eyespots on a cryptic underwing. Most take to the wing at dusk and inhabit shady areas. Larvae are smooth, often with a bifid "tail" and feed on monocotyledons. (Scoble 1995).
Tribe Melanitini
*Cream-banded Satyr Manataria hercyna - Franja Crema
Tribe Satyrini
*Amphidecta pignerator
*Cissia terrestris
*Erichtodes narapa
*Tisiphone Painted Satyr Eteona tisiphone - Tisifone
*Waved Satyr Forsterinaria necys - Ondulada
*Forsterinaria quantius - Quantius
*Hermes Satyr Hermeuptychia hermes - Hermes
*Magneuptychia lea
*Magneuptychia pallema
*Moneuptychia griseldis
Moneuptychia melchiades
*Marbled Satyr Moneuptychia paeon - Marmórea
*Moneuptychia soter
Grey Bands Satyr Pampasatyrus periphas - Bandas grises
*Banded Flash Satyr Pareuptychia summandosa - Flash
*Parypthimoides eous
*Parypthimoides melobasis
*Parypthimoides phronius
Convergent Lines Satyr Parypthimoides poltys - Lineas convergentes
*Innocent Satyr Phameiptychia innocentia - Inocente
Ochre Satyr Pharneuptychia phares - Ocre
*Posttaygetis penelea
*Elf Satyr Praepedaliodes phanias - Duende
*White-dotted Satyr Pseudodebis euptychidia - Puntos blancos
*Two-coin Splendid Satyr Splendeuptychia hygina Dos Monedas
*One-coin Splendid Satyr Splendeuptychia libitina - Monedita
*Taygetis kerea
*Andromeda Ur-Satyr Taygetis laches - Andrómeda
*Rufous-margined Ur-Satyr Taygetis rufomarginata - Rojiza
*Sylvia´s Ur-Satyr Taygetis sylvia - Silvia
*Taygetis tripunctata
*Hook-winged Ur-Satyr Taygetis ypthima - Ganchuda
*Yphthimoides affinis
*Yphthimoides celmis - Celmis
*Yphthimoides mimula
*Uniform Grass Satyr Yphthimoides straminea - Uniforme
Tribe Morphini
*Blue Silk Morpho Morpho agea - Verá
*Helen´s Morpho Morpho helenor achillaena - Porâ
Tribe Brassolini
*Fox Brassolis sophorae - Zorra
*Giant Owl Caligo ilioneus - Lechuza
*Catoblepia berecynthia
*Darius Dynastor darius - Dario
*Blue Shadow Eryphanis reevesii - Sombra azul
*Narope cyllastros
*Narope cyllene
*Narope panniculus
*Lowland Owlet Opsiphanes invirae - Fantasma
Opisphanes muirae
*Selenophanes cassiope

References:
Brower AVZ 2000 - Phylogenetic relationships among the Nymphalidae (Lepidoptera), inferred from partial sequences of the wingless gene - Proceedings of the Royal Society of London Series B Biological Sciences 267: p1201-1211.
Canals GR 2000 - Mariposas Bonaerenses - LOLA, Buenos Aires.
Canals GR 2003 - Mariposas de Misiones - LOLA, Buenos Aires.
Freitas AVL, Brown KS 2004 - Phylogeny of the Nymphalidae (Lepidoptera) - Systematic Biology 53: p363-383.
Scoble MJ 1995 - The Lepidoptera: Form, Function and Diversity - Oxford University Press, Oxford.
Smart P 1975 - The Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Butterfly World - Salamander Books, London
Turner D, Stanêk VJ 1992 - The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Butterflies and Moths - Select Editions, London.
Wahlberg N, Weingartner E, Nylin S 2003 - Towards a better understanding of the higher systematics of Nymphalidae (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea) - Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 28: p473-484.