Post by trehopr1 on Aug 27, 2021 10:52:56 GMT -8
Riodinid butterflies (metalmarks) are a large (1500+ species)
and very diverse family of mostly smallish sized butterflies.
The vast majority of this family is largely represented in
the "tropical zones" of our world.
Some species, though small exhibit colors bold and brilliant
enough to rival both Agrias and Morpho butterflies which are
of much larger size. Yet, still others have reached a riotous
profusion of evolutionary appearance. Also, a great many
metalmark species exhibit some measure of silvery markings
or "highlights" for which the family's (common name) was
attributed.
Here, in the picture below I have a Brazilian species of one
of the most graceful and yet elegant species present there.
This one belongs to the genus Helicopis.
My specimen comes from a former private collection which
contained much data from the decade of the 1920's. There
was very little present beyond 1930-1931 so, I presume
the owner fell upon hard times during the "Great Depression"
period of the 1930's.
Now, after looking up the genus I found there to be only
3 species presently recognized. They are: H. gnidus, H. cupido, and H. endymiaena.
My specimens label however, reads H. acis. So, the taxonomy has "changed up" and
I would like to know which species I may have here...
Here, is an underside view below.
So, any assistance/knowledge that anyone can provide would
be very much appreciated !
As mentioned earlier, metalmarks for all their glorious diversity
and coloration exist mostly on a small scale as butterflies go...
Only a (relative) few species ever reach even the size of a Cabbage
butterfly (P. rapae).
Very fewer ever get much bigger however, this is one of the exceptions !
Below, I have placed a Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) next to it
for a size comparison.
Since, this is a species of Brazilian nature I well imagine
that specimens these days are offered "few and far" between.
Also, given the delicate presence of those tails its probably
not easy finding intact examples as such.
I do treasure it for its unique appearance, age (1927 capture),
and decent condition overall. Admittedly, those pin holes made by
the original owner are a little unsightly but, sometimes one just
has to look past minor indiscretions of others for the overall picture.
and very diverse family of mostly smallish sized butterflies.
The vast majority of this family is largely represented in
the "tropical zones" of our world.
Some species, though small exhibit colors bold and brilliant
enough to rival both Agrias and Morpho butterflies which are
of much larger size. Yet, still others have reached a riotous
profusion of evolutionary appearance. Also, a great many
metalmark species exhibit some measure of silvery markings
or "highlights" for which the family's (common name) was
attributed.
Here, in the picture below I have a Brazilian species of one
of the most graceful and yet elegant species present there.
This one belongs to the genus Helicopis.
My specimen comes from a former private collection which
contained much data from the decade of the 1920's. There
was very little present beyond 1930-1931 so, I presume
the owner fell upon hard times during the "Great Depression"
period of the 1930's.
Now, after looking up the genus I found there to be only
3 species presently recognized. They are: H. gnidus, H. cupido, and H. endymiaena.
My specimens label however, reads H. acis. So, the taxonomy has "changed up" and
I would like to know which species I may have here...
Here, is an underside view below.
So, any assistance/knowledge that anyone can provide would
be very much appreciated !
As mentioned earlier, metalmarks for all their glorious diversity
and coloration exist mostly on a small scale as butterflies go...
Only a (relative) few species ever reach even the size of a Cabbage
butterfly (P. rapae).
Very fewer ever get much bigger however, this is one of the exceptions !
Below, I have placed a Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) next to it
for a size comparison.
Since, this is a species of Brazilian nature I well imagine
that specimens these days are offered "few and far" between.
Also, given the delicate presence of those tails its probably
not easy finding intact examples as such.
I do treasure it for its unique appearance, age (1927 capture),
and decent condition overall. Admittedly, those pin holes made by
the original owner are a little unsightly but, sometimes one just
has to look past minor indiscretions of others for the overall picture.
