Butterflies and Moths in the West Indies during Focus On Nature Tours

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E-mail: font@focusonnature.com
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BUTTERFLIES
and MOTHS

in the West Indies
of the Caribbean

in Antigua and Barbuda
the Bahamas
Barbados
the Cayman Islands
Cuba
Dominica
the Dominican Republic
Guadeloupe
Jamaica
Montserrat
Puerto Rico
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent
the Virgin Islands
and the ABC islands of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao

Butterflies in the Caribbean exclusively in Trinidad & Tobago are not in this list.

Focus On Nature Tours in the Caribbean have been in: January, February, March, April, May, July, and December.

Upper right photo: a HISPANIOLAN KING, Anetia jaegeri, photographed during the FONT tour in the Dominican Republic in February 2012.
The genus is nearly entirely in West Indian islands, the species is nearly restricted to Hispaniola.

This list of Butterflies of the West Indies compiled by Armas Hill

Among the butterfly groupings in this list, links to:

Swallowtails: family PAPILIONIDAE with the genera: Battus, Papilio, Parides

Whites, Yellows, Sulphurs: family PIERIDAE

Mimic-whites: subfamily DISMORPHIINAE with the genus: Dismorphia

Subfamily PIERINAE with the genera: Ascia, Ganyra, Glutophrissa, Melete

Subfamily COLIADINAE with the genera: Abaeis, Anteos, Aphrissa, Eurema, Kricogonia, Nathalis, Phoebis, Pyrisitia, Zerene

Gossamer Wings: family LYCAENIDAE

Hairstreaks: subfamily THECLINAE with the genera: Allosmaitia, Calycopis, Chlorostrymon, Cyanophrys, Electrostrymon, Eumaeus, Ministrymon, Nesiostrymon, Pseudolycaena, Rekoa, Strymon, Terra

Blues: subfamily POLYOMMATINAE with the genera: Brephidium, Cyclargus, Hemiargus, Leptotes, Pseudochrysops

Metalmarks: family RIODINIDAE with the genus: Theope

Brushfoots: family NYMPHALIDAE

Snouts: subfamily LIBYTHEINAE with the genus: Libytheana

Leaf Butterflies: subfamily CHARAXINAE, Tribe ANAEINI with the genera: Anaea, Fountainea, Hypna, Memphis, Siderone

Subfamily CHARAXINAE, Tribe PREPONII with the genus: Archaeoprepona

Subfamily BIBLIDINAE, Tribe BIBLIDINAE with the genera: Archimestra, Biblis, Lucinia, Mestra

Crackers: subfamily BIBLIDINAE, Tribe AGERONIINI with the genus: Hamadryas

Purplewings: subfamily BIBLIDINAE, Tribe EPICALLINI with the genus: Eunica

Sailors: subfamily BIBLIDINAE, Tribe EUBAGINI with the genus: Dynamine

Sisters: subfamily LIMENITIDINAE, Tribe LIMENITIDINI with the genus: Adelpha

Emperors: subfamily APATURINAE with the genera: Doxocopa, Asterocampa

Daggerwings: subfamily CYRESTINAE with the genus: Marpesia

Beauties: subfamily NYMPHALINAE, Tribe NYMPHALINI with the genus: Colobura

Cecropian: subfamily NYMPHALINAE, Tribe COEINI with the genus: Historis

Malachite, Peacocks: subfamily NYMPHALINAE, Tribe VICTORININI with the genera: Anartia, Siproeta

Buckeyes, Mimic: subfamily NYMPHALINAE, Tribe JUNONIINI   with the genera: Junonia, Hypolimnas

Lady Butterflies, Mapwing: subfamily NYMPHALINAE, Tribe NYMPHALINI   with the genera: Hypanartia, Vanessa

Patches, Checkerspots, Crescents: subfamily NYMPHALINAE, Tribe MELITAEINI   with the genera: Athanassa, Antillea, Atlantea, Chlosyne, Phyciodes

Longwings: subfamily HELICONIINAE, Tribe HELICONIINI   with the genera: Agraulis, Dione, Dryas, Eueides, Heliconius

Fritillaries: subfamily HELICONIINAE, Tribe ARGYNNINI with the genus: Euptoieta

Clearwings: subfamily ITHOMIIDAE with the genus: Greta

Milkweed Butterflies: subfamily DANAIDAE with the genera: Anetia, Danaus, Lycorea

Satyrs, or Ringlets: family or subfamily SATYRIDAE with the genus: Calisto

Skippers: family HESPERIIDAE

Subfamily EUDAMINAE   with the genera: Aguna, Astraptes, Chioides, Epargyreus, Phocides, Polygonus, Polythrix, Proteides, Urbanus

Open-winged Skippers: subfamily PYRGINAE   with the genera: Achlyodes, Anastrus, Burca, Cabares, Chiomara, Ephyriades, Erynnis, Gesta, Grais, Heliopetes, Pyrgus, Timochares, Zopyrion

Branded (or Grass) Skippers: Subfamily HESPERIINAE   with the genera: Argon, Asbolis, Atalopedes, Calpodes, Choraqnthus, Copaeodes, Cymaenes, Euphyes, Hesperia, Holguina, Hylephila, Lerodea, Nyctelius, Oarisma, Panoquina, Parachoranthus, Paratrytone, Perichares, Polites, Pyrrhocalles, Pyrrhopygopsis, Rhinthon, Saliana, Synapte, Troyus, Wallengrenia

And a link here to:   MOTHS IN THE WEST INDIES OF THE CARIBBEAN

Codes in the following list relating to illustrations in various books:

Numbers noted as (C:xx) refer to pages in "A World of Butterflies", with text by Brian Cassie, and photographs (superb) by Kjell Sandved

Numbers noted as (DV1:xx) refer to plates in "The Butterflies of Costa Rica and their Natural History (Volume 1): Papilionidae, Pieridae, Nymphalidae", by Philip J. DeVries

Numbers noted as (F:xx) refer to pages in "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Butterflies", by Dr. John Feltwell

Numbers noted as (K:xx) refer to pages in the "Kaufman Focus Guide to Butterflies of North America", by Jim Brock & Kenn Kaufman

Numbers noted as (PE:xx) refer to plates in the "Peterson Field Guide to Eastern Butterflies", by Paul Opler & Vichai Malikul, 1998 edition. Those noted as (PEp:xx) refer to a page with a photograph.

Numbers noted as (PW:xx) refer to plates in the "Peterson Field Guide to Western Butterflies", by Paul Opler & illustrated by Amy Bartlett Wright, 1999 edition. Those noted as (PWp:xx) refer to a page with a photograph.

Numbers noted as (S:xx) refer to pages in the "Smithsonian Handbook, Butterflies & Moths", by David Carter

(ph): species with a photo in the FONT website

Island (or Country) Codes:

ABC: Aruba (A), Bonaire (B), Curacao (C)
BD:   Barbados
On this relatively small Caribbean island, largely cleared for sugar cane planting by the end of the 17th Century, there are 24 butterfly species.
BH:   Bahamas
CU:   Cuba
CY:   the Cayman Islands
DM: Dominica
DR:   the Dominican Republic
On the Greater Antillean island of Hispaniola there are 151 known species of butterflies, of which 41 are endemic. Largely, this is the result of a luxuriant radiation of Calisto, a genus of Satyrids.
GD:   Guadeloupe
JM:   Jamaica
PR:   Puerto Rico
SL:   Saint Lucia
SV:   Saint Vincent
VI:    Virgin Islands

BUTTERFLIES OBSERVED DURING FONT TOURS ARE NOTED BY AN (*) AFTER THE 2-LETTER CODE.

Worldwide, there are over 180,000 described species of butterflies & moths (in the order Lepidoptera).

In this list, of those in the West Indies of the Caribbean, over 200 species are included.
Some subspecies are noted.

Links:

Upcoming FONT Birding & Nature Tours:   in the Caribbean
or by month in:   2015   2016   or: by geographic location worldwide

Lists & Photo Galleries of Birds, including those during FONT Tours in the Caribbean

Lists & Photo Galleries of Mammals, relating to FONT Tours in the Caribbean

Lists of Photo Galleries of Amphibians & Reptiles, including those during FONT Tours in the Caribbean

Lists & Photo Galleries of Marine Life, including fish, corals, jellyfish, mollusks (shells), arthropods (crustaceans & echinoderms) in the Caribbean

Other Lists & Photo Galleries of Butterflies & Moths Elsewhere

Alphabetical Directory of Butterflies by Genus with Photos in the FONT Website

Directory of Photos in this Website

The Gulf Fritillary in the Caribbean is called the Silver-spotted Flambeau.
(photo by Howard Eskin)

Zebra Heliconians roost in groups.
(photo by Doug Johnson)

SOME COMMENTARY REGARDING BUTTERFLY IDENTIFICATION:

"Get a guidebook, take a few years, and you'll still make mistakes. Butterfly identification has an initial, deceptive simplicity.
Individuals in a species vary naturally, an eyespot slightly larger, a color brighter.
Males and females of a species can be strikingly dissimilar.
So can genetic morphs or forms within a gender.
In a single species, butterflies that live in a range of habitat can vary in appearance and produce different populations or geographical races, each better adapted to its environment.
Species can also produce generations of distinct morphs in the same place at different times of the year.

One Tiger Swallowtail is black. On the same flower, another Tiger Swallowtail is yellow.
Another species produces red butterflies in the wet season and blue in the dry. A species darkens in response to air pollution.
A species gains an eyespot. A species lose one."

The above commentary taken from the book, "An Obsession with Butterflies", by Sharman Apt Russell (a wonderful read).

List of Butterflies:

          Family PAPILIONIDAE: SWALLOWTAILS (and allies)
          There are totally about 700 known species of Swallowtails.


          Genus BATTUS: PIPEVINE SWALLOWTAILS: Totally 15 species

Battus polydamas (ph) ______ BD BH CU CY(*) DM DR(*) JM PR(*) SL SV (DV1:1) (F:38) (K:37) (PE:5) (PW:2) (S:55) (species described by Linnaeus in 1758)
Battus polydamas antiquus ______ (subspecies in Antigua, now extinct)
Battus polydamas cebriones (or xenodamus) ______ (subspecies endemic to Martinique)
Battus polydamas christopheranus ______ (subspecies on St. Kitts, St. Christopher, Montserrat, Nevis)
Battus polydamas cubensis ______ CU CY(*) (subspecies in Cuba, the Isle of Pines, and Grand Cayman Island)
Battus polydamas dominicus ______ DM (subspecies endemic to Dominica)
Battus polydamas grenadensis ______ (subspecies on Grenada & in the southern Grenadines)
Battus polydamas jamaicensis ______ JM (subspecies endemic to Jamaica)
Battus polydamas lucayus ______ (subspecies in the southeast US & the Bahamas)
Battus polydamas lucianus ______ SL (subspecies endemic to Saint Lucia)
Battus polydamas neodamas ______ (subspecies endemic to Guadeloupe, inc. Marie Galante Is.)
Battus polydamas polycrates ______ DR(*) (subspecies endemic to Hispaniola)
Battus polydamas thyamus ______ PR(*) (subspecies in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands)
Battus polydamas vincentius ______ SV (subspecies endemic to Saint Vincent)
GOLD RIM SWALLOWTAIL (also called POLYDAMAS SWALLOWTAIL, or Black Page)
(Range: throughout the Antilles & the Americas)

In the tropics, the Gold Rim (or Polydamas) Swallowtail is continuously brooded. Butterflies live about a week. Very common near human settlement. The mainland race is variable. Most West Indian islands have distinct local races, indicating little migration between islands and probable isolation for long periods of time.

No fewer than 13 subspecies of Battus polydamas have been recognized in the West Indies.

Battus polydamas cubensis occurs infrequently on Grand Cayman Island.

Polydamas Swallowtail,
showing the marginal row of red S marks
on the underside of the hindwing
Battus devilliersi ______ BH CU
DE VILLERS' SWALLOWTAIL
(Range: the Bahamas & Cuba)
Battus zetides ______ DR (species is endemic to Hispaniola, described in 1971)
ZETIDES SWALLOWTAIL

As with other presumably rare rhopalocerans, Battus zetides can be common, but it is very local.
Battus zetides is classified as VULNERABLE.

Genus PARIDES: CATTLEHEARTS
Parides anchises ______
CATTLE HEART
(Occurs in the Leeward Islands)
Parides neophilus ______
SPEAR-WINGED CATTLE HEART
(Occurs in the Leeward Islands)
Parides gundlachianus ______ CU (species endemic to Cuba)
Parides gundlachianus gundlachianus ______ CU (subspecies in eastern Cuba)
Parides gundlachianus alayoi ______ CU (subspecies in western Cuba, Pinar del Rio)
GUNDLACH'S SWALLOWTAIL

The Gundlach's Swallowtail is a beautiful butterfly, with green on the upper forewing, blue on the lower forewing, and red on the upper and lower hindwing.

Genus EURYTIDES (or now PROGRAPHIUM and NEOGRAPHIUM): KITE SWALLOWTAILS: About 50 species confined to the New World. Some mimic PARIDES and HELICONIUS butterflies. Others have long tails, hence the name "Kite Swallowtails". Fast fliers. Engage in mud-puddling.
Prographium (or Eurytides) marcellinus ______ JM (F:40) (species endemic to Jamaica)
JAMAICAN KITE SWALLOWTAIL

The Jamaican Kite Swallowtail is classified as VULNERABLE in the Red Data Book of Threatened Swallowtail Butterflies of the World.
Prographium (or Eurytides) celadon ______ CU (F:39)
CUBAN KITE SWALLOWTAIL
(Range: Cuba; with possible sightings of strays in the Florida Keys)
Neographium (or Eurytides) zonarius ______ DR (species endemic to Hispaniola)
HISPANIOLAN KITE SWALLLOWTAIL

Genus: PAPILIO: FLUTED SWALLOWTAILS:
One of the most widespread of genera, with over 200 species. Most are tropical. Most are tailed. Many are migratory. These are the largest of the Swallowtails. They are butterflies of the sunshine, paths, roads, and open county. They readily visit flowers such as: Lantana, Bauhinia, Bougainvillea, and Hibiscus.

"Papilio" is the Latin word for "butterfly".

Subgenus HERACLIDES: the GIANT SWALLOWTAILS
Subgenus PTEROURUS: the TIGER SWALLOWTAILS

Papilio thoas ______ CU JM (C:295) (DV1:4) (K:38 text) (PE:6)
Papilio thoas melonius ______ JM (subspecies endemic to Jamaica)
Papilio thoas oviedo ______ CU (subspecies endemic to Cuba)
THOAS SWALLOWTAIL
(Range: Cuba, Jamaica; also Trinidad and the southern US thru Central & South America)

The Thoas Swallowtail is very similar to the Giant Swallowtail (K:39).

Papilio thoas is in the Heraclides subgenus, in the thoas species-group.

The subspecies in Jamaica has been said to be a distinct species, Papilio melonius.

Papilio androgeus (ph) ______ CU DR(*) PR (DV1:4) (F:52) (K:41) (PE:6)
Papilio androgeus epidaunus ______ CU DR(*) PR (subspecies in the West Indies)
ANDROGEUS SWALLOWTAIL (or QUEEN PAGE)
(Range: in the West Indies - Cuba, Hispaniola, St. Lucia; also Mexico to Argentina)

The female of the Androgeus Swallowtail tends to be reclusive, not often seen. She is polymorphic, with green hindwings, and no yellow band on the forewings.
The male spends much of his time in the forest canopy, occasionally coming down to mud-puddle.

Papilio androgeus is in the Heraclides subgenus, in the thoas species-group.

The Androgeus Swallowtail, or Queen Page
Papilio thersites ______ JM (species endemic to Jamaica)
FALSE ANDROGEUS SWALLOWTAIL (or THERSITES SWALLOWTAIL)

Papilio thersites is in the Heraclides subgenus, in the thoas species-group.
Papilio aristodemus ______ BH CU CY DR PR(*) (F:53) (PE:6)
Papilio aristodemus temenes ______ CU CY (subspecies in Cuba, Isle of Pines, and Little Cayman)
Papilio aristodemus ponceanus ______ BH (subspecies in the Florida Keys in the US, and in the northern Bahamas)
Papilio aristodemus majasi ______ BH (subspecies in the central Bahamas: Crooked & Acklin Is.)
Papilio aristodemus bjorndale ______ (subspecies in the Turks & Caicos Is., Mayaguana, Inagua)
Papilio aristodemus aristodemus ______ DR PR(*) (subspecies in Hispaniola, Mona Is., Puerto Rico)
DUSKY SWALLOWTAIL (also called SCHAUS' SWALLOWTAIL)
(Range: Greater Antilles, north to the Florida Keys)

The Dusky (or Schaus') Swallowtail is an endangered species. It is classified as THREATENED.
On the upperside, the wings have a thick yellow bar with yellow marks inside the margin, and a black tail. The yellow-orange undersides have red and a band of silvery-blue on the hindwing.)

The subspecies P. a. temenes has a broader yellow bar across the surfaces of both wings than in other subspecies.

On Hispaniola, Papilio aristodemus occurs at low elevations and is rather scarce. It is a butterfly of arid areas, most commonly encountered in Acacia woods, forest, or scrub.
P. aristodemus and P. aristor (below, # 16) form a pair of xerophilic swallowtails. A third member of the group is Eurytides zonarius (above, # 9).

Papilio aristodemus is in the Heraclides subgenus, in the thoas species-group.
Papilio andraemon ______ BH CU CY JM (F:54) (PE:6)
Papilio andraemon andraemon ______ CY JM (the nominate subspecies, occurring in the Bahamas, Cuba, Isle of Pines, Turks & Caicos, Jamaica, & in the Cayman Islands on Little Cayman & Cayman Brac)
Papilio andraemon tailori ______ CY (the "Grand Cayman Swallowtail", an endemic subspecies on Grand Cayman Island)
Papilio andraemon bonhotei ______ (a second subspecies in the Bahamas & the Turks & Caicos Islands; and recently in the Florida Keys, in the US)
BAHAMIAN SWALLOWTAIL
(Range: Bahamas, Cuba, the Cayman Islands, & in Jamaica, where introduced)

The Bahamian Swallowtail lives in open flowery areas and breeds on members of the citrus family.
This large yellow and brown swallowtail has a reddish wedge-shaped mark on the underside of the hindwing.

In the Cayman Islands, two subspecies of Papilio andraemon occur.
P. a. andraemon is found on the islands of Cayman Brac & Little Cayman, but the much larger and darker "Grand Cayman Swallowtail",
P. a. tailori, flies only on Grand Cayman Island and nowhere else in the world, as it is 1 of the 5 endemic subspecies of butterflies that occur in the Caymans.

Papilio andraemon is in the Heraclides subgenus in the thoas species-group.
Papilio machaonides ______ DR(*) (species endemic to Hispaniola)
MACHAONIDES SWALLOWTAIL

Papilio machaonides is the most common swallowtail on Hispaniola. It prefers mesic woodland situations, and their margins.
Both P. machaonides and P. androgeus epidaurus (above, # 11) prefer wooded habitats and the 2 species are often found together.
A third species that occurs together with P. machaonides and P. androgeus is Papilio pelaus imerius. (below, # 19).
The flight of P. machaonides is much slower and "floppier" than the strong, direct flight of P. androgeus.

Papilio machaonides is in the Heraclides subgenus, in the thoas species-group.

Above & below: Two photographs of a Machaonides Swallowtail
during the FONT Dominican Republic tour in April 2012
(photos by Marie Gardner)
Papilio aristor ______ DR(*) (F:53) (species endemic to Hispaniola)
SCARCE HAITIAN SWALLOWTAIL

The habitats of the Scarce Haitian Swallowtail include dry scrub, and it probably breeds on citrus.
Classified as INDETERMINATE in the Red Data Book of Threatened Swallowtail Butterflies of the World.
The warm brown ground of the butterfly is crossed on the forewing by a row of bead-like white spots which splits into two. There are yellow chevrons on the hindwing and a single eyespot. The rarely seen female is slightly larger and paler than the male, with larger yellow spots.

Papilio aristor is in the Heraclides subgenus, in the thoas species-group.

A Scarce Haitian Swallowtail photographed
during the FONT Dominican Republic Tour in April 2012
(photo by Marie Gardner)
Papilio caiguanabus ______ CU (F:55) (species endemic to Cuba)
POEY'S SWALLOWTAIL (or Poey's Black Swallowtail)

The Poey's Black Swallowtail is classified as INDETERMINATE in the Red Data Book of Threatened Swallowtail Butterflies of the World.
This pretty butterfly is distinguished by the bright yellow band which runs around the hindwings, wider on the hindwing than on the forewing, where it is white. There is a bold reddish area on the anal part of the hindwing. The sexes are similar.

Papilio caiguanabus is in the Heraclides subgenus, in the thoas species-group.
Papilio oxynius ______ CU (species endemic to Cuba)
OXYNIUS SWALLOWTAIL (has been called Cuban Black Swallowtail)

Papilio oxynius is in the Heraclides subgenus, in the anchisiades species-group.
Papilio pelaus ______ CU DR JM(*) PR (F:64)
Papilio pelaus pelaus ______ JM(*) (subspecies endemic to Jamaica)
Papilio pelaus atkinsi ______ CU (subspecies endemic to Cuba)
Papilio pelaus imerius ______ DR PR (subspecies in Hispaniola & Puerto Rico)
PELAUS SWALLOWTAIL (or CARIBBEAN or ANTILLEAN SWALLOWTAIL) (also called Prickly Ash Swallowtail)
(Range: the Greater Antilles; in Jamaica it is widely distributed)

The Pelaus Swallowtail is not threatened . There are, as noted above, 3 subspecies. This swallowtail often flies in shady wooded areas. The brown ground color is crossed on the forewing by a curved yellow band and on the tailed hindwing by a series of red spots. There is a small eye-spot in the anal region of the hindwing.

Papilio pelaus is the least commonly encountered of the Hispaniolan papilioniids. Typically, this species inhabit forested situations, cafeieres and cafetales. It can be seen in open areas.

Papilio pelaus is in the Heraclides subgenus, in the anchisiades species-group.
Papilio homerus ______ JM(*) (F:59) (species endemic to Jamaica)
HOMERUS SWALLOWTAIL (also called Homer's Swallowtail)
(Occurs in rainforests in both lowland and highland areas.)

Due to habitat destruction, the Homerus Swallowtail is classified as ENDANGERED in the Red Data Book of Threatened Swallowtails of the World. Also, this attractive butterfly has been much collected.
It has contrasting light & dark markings, similar in both sexes. A white-cream band crosses both dark wings, and the hindwing has a row of submarginal spots. This is the largest butterfly in the New World.

Papilio homerus is in the Pterourus subgenus, in the homerus species-group.
Papilio polyxenes (ph) ______ BH CU (C:203) (F:65) (K:29) (PE:2,4,514)(PW:3)
Papilio polyxenes polyxenes ______ CU (subspecies endemic to Cuba)
BLACK SWALLOWTAIL

Papilio polyxenes is in the Papilio subgenus, in the machaon species-group.

Black Swallowtail
(photo by Howard Eskin)
Papilio demoleus demoleus (ph) ______ CU CY DR(*) JM PR (F:56) (species described by Linnaeus in 1758)
CHECKERED SWALLOWTAIL (also called the Lime Swallowtail, or the Lemon Butterfly)

The Checkered Swallowtail is a beautiful mostly Asian species that now occurs in the West Indies. Its native range is from the Middle East through China to Japan, and in Australia.

In the West Indies, the tailless Checkered Swallowtail was observed in the Cayman Islands for the first time on May 29, 2011 at West Bay, on Grand Cayman.
The species has also been first recorded in the Caribbean in Cuba in 2007, the Dominican Republic in 2004, and in Puerto Rico, Jamaica, and on St. Martin. Its larval host plants belong to the RUTACEAE (Citrus) family.
Papilio demoleus has the potential to be an invasive species.

Papilio demoleus is in the Princeps subgenus, in the demodocus species-group.

A Checkered Swallowtail photographed in the Dominican Republic
(photo by Rob van Brussel)

Family PIERIDAE
Most are predominantly white, yellow, or orange in color, and are often referred to as WHITES, YELLOWS, SULPHURS, or MARBLES
Worldwide, over 1,000 species of WHITES & SULPHURS have been described.

Subfamily DISMORPHIINAE: MIMIC WHITES.
A long-winged, tropical group of about 100 species.

Genus DISMORPHIA: This grouping is of about 40 species of "atypical" PIERIDS.
They are large and widely distributed, mostly in South America.
Many of the DISMORPHIDS are involved in mimicry, often being remarkable mimics of various distasteful butterflies.
Their wingshapes and coloration can be misleading, causing them to be regarded as ITHOMIIDS or HELICONIDS.
Also, these DISMORPHIDS often fly in the same localities and occupy the same habitats as the ITHOMIIDS or HELICONIDS which they resemble. Thus, unlike more "typical" PIERIDS, they often prefer shady areas. Sometimes, however. they can be found resting on leaves, with their wings open, trying to catch some sunlight struggling to enter the dark places where they hide.
At the beginning of the dry season, large numbers can be encountered imbibing nectar from flowers growing at the edge of the forest or along pathways.
The patterning of DISMORPHIDS is quite variable.

Dismorphia cubana ______ (species endemic to Cuba)
CUBAN MIMIC-WHITE (has also been called Cuban Mimic)
Dismorphia spio (ph) ______ DR PR (F:94)
ANTILLEAN MIMIC-WHITE (has also been called Haitian Mimic)
(Range: in the Antilles, on Hispaniola & in Puerto Rico, in forest)

Clearly the mimic of another butterfly, the Antillean Mimic-White is almost certainly a heliconid with long forewings and a similar color and pattern. The color of this butterfly is variable, from yellow, orange to brown. The body is long and thin. The forewing is strongly curved, almost with a hook-tip.

The Antillean Mimic-White is a beautiful and slow-flying pierid, with, as indicated above, a tiger-striped pattern on its upperside.

Antillean Mimic-White
(photo by Sherry Nelson)

Subfamily PIERINAE
A cosmopolitan group, well represented in both temperate and tropical regions, with as many as 1200 species worldwide.

Genus GLUTOPHRISSA: A distinctive group with strongly curved wings (especially in the males), which makes them powerful fliers. Many dwell in the rainforest. Males commonly mud-puddle. The sexes are usually completely different in color, with the females darker with more subdued coloration.
This closely-related APPIAS genus occurs in Asia (mainly), Africa, and Australia. What was this genus in the New World is now said, for structural reasons, to be GLUTOPHRISSA (with 2 species).
(Note: The APPIAS butterflies in the Old World are referred to as THE GULLS.)
Glutophrissa drusilla ______ ABC(A)(B)(C) BD BH CU CY(*) DM(*) DR JM PR SL SV (DV1:12) (K:53) (PE:7)(PW:7)
Glutophrissa drusilla boydi ______ DR PR (subspecies on Hispaniola, Puerto Rico & the Virgin Islands, described in 1943)
Glutophrissa drusilla castalia ______ JM (subspecies endemic to Jamaica)
Glutophrissa drusilla comstocki ______ (subspecies from Saba to Saint Lucia, described in 1947)
Glutophrissa drusilla drusilla ______ ABC(A)(B)(C)
Glutophrissa drusilla monomorpha ______ (in the Lesser Antilles, subspecies on Grenada and in the Grenadines)
Glutophrissa drusilla poeyi ______ BH CU CY(*) (subspecies in the Bahamas, Cuba and the Isle of Pines, and the Cayman Islands; in the Caymans, it is of regular occurrence only Little Cayman & Cayman Brac)
TROPICAL WHITE (also called FLORIDA WHITE)
(Range: throughout the West Indies; also the southern US, and Central & South America, in lowland tropical evergreen or semideciduous forests.)

Flying more rapidly than the Great Southern White, the Tropical White is an extraordinarily swift butterfly, "so swift that, in a few seconds, they traverse long distances. Not only do they fly extremely fast, but they also take their nourishment from flowers in the greatest haste. Only in imbibing water from the damp ground, where these butterflies, particularly the males, sometimes settle in large groups close together, do they allow themselves time, and engage in this activity for the moment as an amusement".

The male of the Tropical White is a "shining white", while the female is a "more creamy white".

In some literature, Appias (or Glutophrissa) drusilla appears with the generic name Aphrissa.

In Curacao, the Tropical White, or Florida White is uncommon.
Glutophrissa punctifera ______ DR PR VI
ANTILLEAN WHITE (has also been called D'Almeida's White)
(Range: Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, & the Virgin Islands)

The Antillean White has a small black spot on the forewing.

Genus MELETE
Melete salacia ______ CU DR
Melete salacia cubana ______ CU (subspecies endemic to Cuba)
Melete salacia salacia ______ DR (subspecies endemic to Hispaniola)
BLACK-STRIPED WHITE

Genus ASCIA: in North, Central, and South America. 8 species of large plain white butterflies with some brown or gray markings, especially in the females. They live in open areas.

Ascia monuste (ph) ______ ABC(A)(B)(C) BD BH CU CY(*) DM(*) DR JM PR SL SV (DV1:12) (K:53) (PE:8)(PW:8) (species described by Linnaeus in 1764)
Ascia monuste eubotea ______ CY(*) DR JM PR (subspecies throughout the Greater Antilles and associated islands including the Caymans, and the Virgin Islands)
Ascia monuste monuste ______ ABC(A)(B)(C) (South American subspecies that has occurred in the southern Lesser Antilles in Grenada & the Grenadines)
Ascia monuste phileta ______ BH (subspecies of the southeast US that occurs in the northern Bahamas and sporadically in Cuba)
Ascia monuste virginia ______ SL SV (subspecies in the Lesser Antilles south to Saint Vincent)
GREAT SOUTHERN WHITE
(Range: the Antilles; also the southern US, and Central & South America, in coastal salt marshes & dunes; also open places such as fields & gardens; migrants are in a variety of open habitats)

The migrating Great Southern White females are almost totally gray in color, while non-migratory females are largely yellowish-white with dark brown margins.

In Curacao, the Great Southern White is abundant.

Great Southern Whites
(photo by Sherry Nelson)

Genus GANYRA: This group of North, Central, and South American butterflies are powerful fliers, and some are strong migrants. They live in open areas, and breed on members of the caper, crucifer or cabbage, and nasturtium families.
Ganyra josephina ______ ABC(C) DR JM PR (PE:8)(PW:8)
Ganyra josephina josephina ______ DR (subspecies endemic to Hispaniola)
Ganyra josephina krugi ______ PR (subspecies in Puerto Rico & on Mona Island)
Ganyra josephina paramaryllis ______ JM (subspecies on Jamaica where widely distributed)
GIANT WHITE
(Range: the Greater Antilles; also Mexico & Central America, at forest edges, usually in seasonally dry tropical lowlands)

In Curacao, the Giant White is rare.
Ganyra menciae ______ CU (species in Cuba; has also been found on St. Lucia in the Lesser Antilles)
CUBAN WHITE

Subfamily COLIADINAE: SULPHURS
300 species worldwide

Genus PHOEBIS (or RHABDODRYAS): GIANT SULPHURS. A grouping of 10 species, exclusively in the Americas.
They are the most conspicuous of the tropical SULPHURS, being common and large. They are given to vast migrations and are often found in open areas & forest edges. They are fast flying, and all members of the genus are migrants.
The sexes are dimorphic. Males, more often than females, cluster on moist sand along rivers & streams. The females usually has less active behavior, flying not far from vegetation, or simply visiting flowers.

Phoebis (or Rhabdodryas) trite ______ DM DR PR (DV1:8)
Phoebis trite watsoni ______ DR PR (subspecies in the West Indies, not on Cuba or Jamaica, or south in the Lesser Antilles from St. Kitts to St. Vincent)
STRAIGHT-LINED SULPHUR
(Range: the Antilles: also Mexico to Argentina)

Phoebis sennae (ph) ______ ABC(A)(B)(C) BD BH CU CY DM DR(*) JM PR SL SV (DV1:9) (F:105) (K:75) (PE:10)(PW:12) (species described by Linnaeus in 1758)
Phoebis sennae sennae (ph) ______ ABC(A)(B)(C) BD BH CU CY DM DR(*) JM PR SL SV
(what have been said to be subspecies in the West Indies have usually described as rather indistinguishable)
CLOUDLESS SULPHUR
(Range: throughout the West Indies; also the southern US to Argentina)

The Cloudless Sulphur can be abundant in both lowlands & highlands. It prospers in open land, with weedy tropical & subtropical plants. The female is variable, with some being yellowish.

Females in the Cayman Islands are noted as being similar to those of Phoebis agarithe.

At one time, what was said to be a rare & local race on Hispaniola, P. s. editha, has females which are orange or orange-red in color. Now, however, Phoebis editha has been determined to be a distinct species, endemic to Hispaniola. (SEE NEXT SPECIES)

In Curacao, the Cloudless Sulphur is abundant.

Phoebis sennae is a strong flier. It is well known to undertake migrations involving enormous numbers of individuals. In literature, there are accounts of tremendous migrations during May & June near Kingston, Jamaica, and at sea off the Caymans, with that flight heading northwest.

3 Cloudless Sulphurs during the FONT tour in the Dominican Republic in April 2012
(photo by Marie Gardner)

Phoebis editha ______ DR (a rare species endemic to Hispaniola)
EDITH'S SULPHUR

Phoebis argante ______ ABC(A)(B)(C) CU DM DR JM PR SL SV (DV1:9) (F:104) (PW:text)
Phoebis argante argante ______ ABC(A)(B)(C)
Phoebis argante comstocki ______ JM (subspecies endemic to Jamaica, described in 1944)
Phoebis argante fornax (or minuscula) ______ CU (subspecies endemic to Cuba)
Phoebis argante martini ______ PR (subspecies endemic to Puerto Rico, described in 1944)
Phoebis argante rorata ______ DR (subspecies endemic to Hispaniola)
APRICOT SULPHUR (has also been called the Argante Giant Sulphur)
(Range: the Antilles; also Mexico to Paraguay, in tropical forest clearings, roadsides, gardens, pastures) .

In Curacao, the Apricot Sulphur is rare.
Phoebis avellaneda ______ CU (species endemic to Cuba, particularly eastern Cuba)
ORANGE-WASHED SULPHUR (also called RED-SPLASHED SULPHUR)

The Orange-washed, or Red-splashed Sulphur is a thrilling butterfly to see, and a confusing one when encountered with the similar species Phoebis philea. It differs from philea in that the male has deep red patches washed with a purple sheen on the forewing, and the female has a red underside as opposed to being yellow on philea. Both species occur in Cuba.
Phoebis philea (ph) ______ BH CU CY DR PR (PE:10)
Phoebis philea hueberi ______ CU (subspecies endemic to Cuba) (Note that P. p. philea also occurs in western Cuba where P. p. hueberi and P. p. philea intergrade)
Phoebis philea philea ______ PR (subspecies established in Cuba, Puerto Rico, and probably what occurs at times in the Caymans)
Phoebis philea thalestris ______ DR (subspecies endemic to Hispaniola)
ORANGE-BARRED SULPHUR
(Range: in the West Indies, in Cuba, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, & on occasion in the Caymans, and in the Lesser Antilles; also throughout much of lowland tropical America south to Brazil, and in Florida & the Fla. Keys, since about 1928)

Males of Phoebis philea (distinctive enough for a good ID) were first observed on Grand Cayman in January 2002. The butterfly was seen there fairly regularly until Hurricane Ivan struck in September 2004. After that hurricane, it was not seen on Grand Cayman for a long time, until February 2007. However, none were noted there in 2008.
Only males have been identified on Grand Cayman.

Orange-barred Sulphur
Phoebis agarithe (ph) ______ ABC(A)(B)(C) BH CU CY DM DR JM PR (PE:10)
Phoebis agarithe antillia ______ DR JM PR (subspecies in most of the West Indies, in the Bahamas and in the Greater & Lesser Antilles)
Phoebis agarithe pupillata ______ (subspecies in the Windward Islands, from at least Guadeloupe to St. Lucia, the Grenadines, Grenada, & Barbados, described in 1947)
LARGE ORANGE SULPHUR (or Cloudless Orange)
(Range: throughout the West Indies; also from Florida & Texas south to Peru)

Phoebis agarithe and Phoebis sennae often fly together. Both have a swift, but not necessarily high, flight.

Both sexes of Phoebis agarithe visit flowers of Bougainvillea, Hibiscus, Lantana, Stachytarpheta, and other flowering plants.

In Curacao, the Large Orange Sulphur is uncommon.

Genus KRICOGONIA

KRICOGONIA butterflies are smaller than Glutophrissa drusilla, the Tropical White.

There is a historical note of large numbers of the genus KRICOGONIA migrating in a north-westerly direction in Jamaica and off the Cayman Islands with millions (yes, millions) of Phoebis sennae and Ascia moniste, and smaller numbers of Anteos maerula.
Kricogonia lyside ______ ABC(A)(B)(C) CU DR JM PR (DV1:8) (K:77) (PE:8)(PW:13)
LYSIDE SULPHUR (or Lyside) (another name is Guayacan Sulphur)
(Range: the Antilles; also from the southern US to Venezuela, in lowland scrub & seasonally dry forest edges)

In Curacao, the Lyside Sulphur, or Guayacan Sulphur is abundant.
Kricogonia cabrerai ______ CU (species endemic to Cuba)
CUBAN SULPHUR

Genus APHRISSA: Central & South American WHITES, similar to PHOEBIS. With shiny undersides.
Aphrissa statira (has been Phoebis statira) ______ ABC(C) CU CY DM(*) JM PR (D1:9) (F:80) (PE:10)(PW:13)
Aphrissa statira cubana ______ CU JM CY PR (subspecies in Cuba, Jamaica, & the Cayman Islands; the occurrence of this subspecies, even as a breeder, in Puerto Rico is thought to refer to vagrancy, but it is puzzling)
Aphrissa statira hispaniolae ______ DR (subspecies endemic to Hispaniola, described in 1947)
Aphrissa statira statira ______ (subspecies from Texas to Brazil that occurs in the Lesser Antilles)
STATIRA SULPHUR (also called Yellow Migrant, or Migrant Sulphur)
(Range: in most of the West Indies, where there are several subspecies; also Mexico to Brazil)

Aphrissa statira is strongly migratory, and when migrating it has been shown to be able to adjust its flight direction to compensate for wind drift. Aphrissa statira flies more slowly than a Phoebis butterfly.

In the Cayman Islands, the Statira Sulphur occurs locally and occasionally.
Aphrissa neleis ______ BH CU (species in Cuba and in the Bahamas on New Providence and North & South Andros)
NELEIS SULPHUR
Aphrissa orbis ______ CU CY DR (PE:text)
Aphrissa orbis orbis ______ CU CY (subspecies in Cuba & the Isle of Pines, and rarely in the Caymans; also in south Florida, US as a rare stray)
Aphrissa orbis browni ______ DR (subspecies endemic to Hispaniola, described in 1947)
ORBIS SULPHUR
(Range: resident on Cuba, including the Isle of Pines, and on Hispaniola)

On Hispaniola, Aphrissa orbis is usually in tropical moist forest above 1500 feet above sea level, but it also is found otherwise,

In the Cayman Islands, Aphrissa orbis has been noted as a vagrant on Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac.
Aphrissa godartiana ______ DR JM PR (species mostly on Hispaniola, also in Puerto Rico & Jamaica)
Aphrissa godartiana godartiana ______ DR PR (subspecies on Hispaniola & Puerto Rico)
Aphrissa godartiana hartonia ______ JM (subspecies endemic to Jamaica, where it is completely restricted to the Cockpit Country of Trelawny, St. Ann, Clarendon, and St. Elizabeth parishes)
GODART'S SULPHUR

In Jamaica, and elsewhere in the West Indies, karst topographic areas, like the Cockpit Country, often foster the development of a distinct fauna. Aphrissa godartiana hartonia appears to be an example of this.

Genus ANTEOS
Anteos maerula ______ ABC(C) BH CY DR PR
YELLOW-ANGLED SULPHUR (or Giant Brimstone)
(Range: in the West Indies, in the Bahamas and the Greater Antilles, and in the Lesser Antilles in St. Kitts and Guadeloupe; as a vagrant on Grand Cayman; also from southern Florida, where it does not breed, south through Central America to Colombia & Peru)

Anteos maerula is a strong flying butterfly, found in scrubland and open ground.

In the Dominican Republic, Anteos maerula occurs from sea level to well over 6,000 feet.

In the Cayman Islands, the Yellow-angled Sulphur is rare.

In Curacao, the Yellow-angled Sulphur is abundant.

A separation of the West Indian population of Anteos maerula as a distinct subspecies is said to be unjustified.
Anteos clorinde (ph) ______ CU DR JM (in the West Indies, on Cuba, Hispaniola, & Jamaica)
WHITE-ANGLED SULPHUR
(Range: on some of the Greater Antilles. & from south Texas to Argentina)

On Hispaniola, Anteos clorinde is rather widely distributed and quite abundant in some areas.

White-angled Sulphur
(photo by Doug Johnson)

Genus ZERENE
Zerene cesonia (ph) ______ ABC(C) CU DR
Zerene cesonia cesonia ______ CU (subspecies in Cuba, & in the southeast US)
Zerene cesonia cynops ______ DR (subspecies endemic to Hispaniola)
Zerene cesonia helena ______ ABC(C)
SOUTHERN DOGFACE
(Range: on some of the Greater Antilles; also from the southern US to Colombia)

In Curacao, the Southern Dogface is rare.

Genus NATHALIS

Nathalis iole ______ BH CU CY DR JM (K:71) (PE:10)(PW:13)
DAINTY SULPHUR (also called Dwarf Yellow)
(Range: in the West Indies in the Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, and only rarely in the Caymans; also North America to Guatemala, in dry open areas, including weedy fields, sandy coastal flats, hillsides)

The Dainty Sulphur is unique among SULPHURS, in several structural features, so much so that some say it belongs in a separate subfamily. Its forewings are elongated.
The species is sexually dimorphic & seasonally diphenic.)

As with the species in the genera Eurema and Pyrisitia, Nathalis iole flies close to the ground.

The first specimen of Nathalis iole in the Cayman Islands was a female caught on Little Cayman in August 1975.

Genera EUREMA, ABAEIS & PYRISITIA: SMALL YELLOWS.
This widespread combination of genera, of 35-40 species, has a circumtropical distribution.
These butterflies are usually lemon-yellow with black borders. Males often have a long scent patch on the forewing.

Generally, these are the familiar little butterflies that fly along paths and roadways, usually in considerable numbers after rains. Blistering heat will often send them to pools of water or to the watering holes of cattle where the sand moistened with the urine of the animals furnishes them with mineralized liquid.

Abaeis (was Eurema) nicippe ______ BH CU CY DR JM PR (K:69) (PE:11)(PW:13)
BLACK-BORDERED ORANGE (or SLEEPY ORANGE)
(Range: in the West Indies in the Bahamas, and the Greater Antilles and associated islands; also from mostly the southern US south to Costa Rica, occurring in low areas in lower austral & subtropical zones, in open woods, pines, open fields)

The Black-bordered (or Sleepy) Orange males often occur at mud puddles.

Abaeis nicippe occurs throughout Hispaniola where it is moderately abundant.

In the Cayman Islands, the Black-bordered, or Sleepy Orange is uncommon.

Abaeis (was Eurema) nicippiformis ______ DR (species endemic to Hispaniola)
FAST ORANGE
Eurema boisduvaliana ______ CU JM (DV1:10) (K:73) (PE:11)(PW:13) (species in Cuba & Jamaica; otherwise from Arizona, US to western Costa Rica)
BOISDUVAL'S YELLOW
(Range: some of the Antilles; also Mexico to Costa Rica, in thorn scrub, pastures, & roadsides)

Eurema amelia ______ CU (species endemic to Cuba)
CUBAN YELLOW

Eurema albula ______ (DV1:10)
Eurema albula albula ______ SV (this South American subspecies has occurred in the Lesser Antilles on St. Vincent)
WHITE YELLOW (has been called Ghost Yellow)
(Range: the West Indies; also Mexico to Brazil)

Eurema daira ______ CY DM DR PR (DV1:10) (F:96) (K:71) (PE:11)(PW:13)
Eurema daira daira ______ (subspecies common in Florida & elsewhere in the southeast US, and also occurs in the Bahamas, and occasionally in Cuba; usually yellow on the upper surfaces of both wings in both sexes)
Eurema daira palmira ______ DR PR SV (subspecies in the Greater and Lesser Antilles)
BARRED YELLOW (has been called Barred Sulphur)
(Range: in the West Indies; also from the southern US to Uruguay; in the Caribbean, it occurs in: Cuba, the Caymans, Hispaniola, Jamaica, and from Puerto Rico south to Grenada and Barbados.)

The Barred Sulphur (or Barred Yellow) is a species subject to seasonal dimorphism in both sexes. Where there is a dry and wet season, forms are distinct in appearance and behavior.
The wet season form (as noted in the Cayman Islands, and elsewhere) has more extensive dark markings than the dry season form.
The wet season form (as noted in Costa Rica and elsewhere) is active and dispersive, while the dry season form is relatively sedentary, aggregating in shady places much of the day.

The Barred Sulphur was relatively recently discovered in the Cayman Islands in 1975 (prior to it being depicted in a set of stamps issued in 1994).
In 2008, the Barred Sulphur was NOT found on the Cayman Islands, despite close scrutiny of dozens of butterflies that all turned out to be the False Barred Sulphur, Eurema elathea,

Eurema elathea ______ ABC(A)(B)(C) CY(*) DM DR PR SV (DV1:10)
Eurema elathea elathea ______ CY(*) DM DR PR SV (subspecies in the Greater & Lesser Antilles, and in the Bahamas and the Caymans; the other subspecies in southern Central America & northern South America)
BANDED YELLOW (also called Baton Yellow; and has been called False Barred Sulphur)
(Range: throughout the West Indies; also Nicaragua to Brazil & Bolivia, in pastures, dunes, & forest edges in tropical & subtropical zones)

In the Cayman Islands, the Banded Yellow is easily the most numerous species of Eurema on Grand Cayman. In 1985, it was found for the first time on Cayman Brac, where it is now abundant, and in 2008 for the first time on Little Cayman Island.

In Curacao, the Banded Yellow is common.
Eurema lucina ______ CU
Eurema lucina lucina ______ (subspecies endemic to Cuba)
SMUDGED YELLOW
Eurema priddyi ______ DR (species endemic to Hispaniola)
PRIDDY'S YELLOW

Eurema priddyi was formerly considered a subspecies of Eurema lucina.
Eurema adamsi ______ JM (species endemic to Jamaica)
CONTRASTING YELLOW
Eurema gratiosa ______ ABC(A)(B)(C) SL (a Central & South American species, from Costa Rica to Venezuela, that has occurred in the Caribbean in the Grenadines, & on the islands of St. Lucia and Bonaire & Curacao)
DISJUNCT YELLOW (also called Gratiosa Yellow)

In Curacao, the Disjunct Yellow, or Gratiosa Yellow is rare.

Pyrisitia proterpia (was Eurema proterpia) ______ ABC(A)(B)(C) CU DR JM (DV1:10) (F:97) (K:69) (PE:11)(PW:13)
TAILED ORANGE (or Little Jaune)
(Range: in the Antilles, in: Cuba, Hispaniola, & Jamaica; also in the southern US, thru Central & South America, seasonally in dry scrub, forest edges, pastures)

There are seasonally different forms of the Tailed Orange of both sexes. This butterfly occurs from sea level to mountains, and breeds on Desmodium species.

In Curacao, the Tailed Orange is rare. It was collected there in November 1999 (and when so it was "new" for the island).
It was later observed in Curacao in February 2000.

Pyrisitia dina (was Eurema dina) ______ BH CU DR JM (DV1:10) (K:73) (PE:11)(PW:13)
Pyrisitia dina dina ______ CU (the nominate subspecies, endemic to Cuba)
Pyrisitia dina helios ______ BH (subspecies in the Bahamas & in south Florida, US)
Pyrisitia dina mayobanex ______ DR (subspecies endemic to Hispaniola, described in 1939)
Pyrisitia dina parvumbra ______ JM (subspecies endemic to Jamaica)
BUSH SULPHUR (another name has been Dina Yellow)
(Range: in the West Indies, in the Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica, & Hispaniola; also from the southern US to Panama, in edges of brushy fields & in open forests)

Pyristia dina is very common throughout Cuba. It colonized in Florida in the 1970s. In Cuba, it keeps company with Abaeis nicippe, Pyristia lisa, and Eurema daira. In contrast with most Eurema and Pyristia species, Pyrisitia dina inhabits woody and bushy places, and tends to avoid open areas.

Pyrisitia nise (was Eurema nise) ______ BH CU JM (DV1:10) (K:71) (PE:11)(PW:13)
Pyrisitia nise nise ______ BH CU JM (subspecies in the West Indies, in the Bahamas on Grand Bahama and New Providence Islands, and on Cuba, Jamaica)
MIMOSA YELLOW (other names have been Mimosa Sulphur, Blacktip Sulphur and Jamaican Sulphur)
(Range: in some of the West Indies and from the southern US to Argentina; brushy edges of woods)

The Mimosa Sulphur has been found in the Cayman Islands only once, on Cayman Brac.

Pyrisitia euterpiformis (was Eurema euterpiformis) ______ DR (species described in 1947)
HISPANIOLAN YELLOW

Pyrisitia euterpiformis is closely related to Pyrisitia lisa euterpe.

Pyrisitia lisa (was Eurema lisa) (ph) ______ ABC(A)(B)(C) BD BH CU CY DM(*) DR(*) JM PR SL SV (DV1:10) (K:71) (PE:11) (PW:13)
Pyrisitia lisa euterpe ______ ABC(A)(B)(C) BD BH CU CY DM(*) DR(*) JM PR SL SV (subspecies in most of the West Indies, from the Greater Antilles to Barbados and the ABC islands)
Pyrisitia lisa lisa ______ BH (subspecies in the northern Bahamas and in the southeast US)
LITTLE YELLOW (or Little Sulphur)
(Range: in the West Indies in the Bahamas and the Greater and Lesser Antilles south to Barbados and the ABC islands; also from the US to Panama; found in open flowery areas, also dry sandy fields, roadsides)

In the Cayman Islands, the Little Sulphur was abundant on Grand Cayman in the 1970s & 1980s, but rare there in the late 1990s. It has not been seen on that island since 2002. In the 1970s, it was quite plentiful on Little Cayman & Cayman Brac.

Large migratory swarms of the North American nominate subspecies of the Little Sulphur have been reported as far offshore as Bermuda, but the West Indian subspecies, Pyrisitia lisa euterpe shows little tendency to migrate. It is not a strong flier.

In Curacao, the Little Yellow is abundant.

A Little Yellow (or Little Sulphur) with a Cloudless Sulphur
during the FONT tour in the Dominican Republic in April 2012
(photo by Marie Gardner)
Pyrisitia messalina (was Eurema messalina) ______ BH CU JM (PE:text)
WHITISH YELLOW (was called the Shy Yellow or Shy Sulphur)
(Range: resident locally in the West Indies, in brushy areas)

The Whitish Yellow has a limited range, occurring in the Bahamas (where it may be a distinct subspecies), Cuba and the Isle of Pines, and Jamaica. It has not been found on Grand Cayman Island since 1938.
Pyrisitia leuce (was Eurema leuce) (ph) ______ DM DR GD PR SL
Pyrisitia leuce antillarum ______ DM GD PR SL (subspecies in Puerto Rico, and south through the Lesser Antilles including: St. Kitts, St, Martin, Guadeloupe, Dominica, St. Lucia)
Pyrisitia leuce memulus ______ DR (subspecies endemic to Hispaniola)
LEUCE YELLOW (also called Coral-vine Yellow; has been called Hall's Yellow)
(Range: in the West Indies, in: Hispaniola, St. Kitts, St. Christopher, Montserrat, Dominica, St. Lucia, St, Martin, Guadeloupe, & Puerto Rico; also Panama to Argentina)

The sexes of the Leuce Yellow are similar, but the female is usually a paler yellow. However, in the subspecies on Hispaniola, P. l. memulus, the female is darker than the male, and has a orange-brown spot on the apex of the hindwing.

A Leuce Yellow photographed in the Dominican Republic
Pyrisitia larae (was Eurema lare) ______ BH CU DR
CONFUSING YELLOW
(Range: Cuba, Andros & Great Abaco Islands in the Bahamas, and Hispaniola)

In the Dominican Republic, the Confusing Yellow is rare.
Pyrisitia chamgerlaini (was Eurema chamberlaini) ______ BH CU
Pyrisitia chamberlaini chamberlaini ______ (subspecies on Grand Bahama Bank)
Pyrisitia chamberlaini clenchi ______ (subspecies on Crooked & Acklins Islands, described in 1992)
Pyrisitia chamberlaini mariguanae ______ (subspecies on Mayaguana Is. & the Caicos Islands)
Pyrisitia chamberlaini inaguae ______ (subspecies on Great & Little Inagua Is. & far east Cuba, described in 1950)
CHAMBERLAIN'S YELLOW
Pyrisitia portoricensis (was Eurema portoricensis) ______ PR (species endemic to Puerto Rico)
PUERTO RICAN YELLOW
Pyrisitia pyro (was Eurema pyro) ______ DR (species endemic to Hispaniola)
PYRO ORANGE
Pyrisitia venusta (was Eurema venusta) ______ DM SV
Pyrisitia venusta emanona ______ DM SV (subspecies in the Lesser Antilles, from Montserrat to Grenada)
PALE YELLOW

Family LYCAENIDAE (GOSSAMER WINGS), including: HAIRSTREAKS, BLUES

Throughout the world but mostly in tropical and subtropical regions. The sexes often differ in coloration, and the undersides usually differ from the upper surfaces.
Among several distinct groups are the HAIRSTREAKS, with tails and bright eyespot markings on the hindwings, creating a "false head" at the rear, to divert attackers.

Thus far, worldwide, about 5,000 species in this family have been discovered and named. Caterpillars of many of these species are closely associated with ants.

Subfamily THECLINAE: HAIRSTREAKS

Genus REKOA
Rekoa abeja (formerly Thereus abejas) ______ DR (species endemic to Hispaniola, described in 1988)
HISPANIOLAN HAIRSTREAK

Rekoa abeja is a relatively newly-described species in the Dominican Republic in the Sierra de Baoruco. Two specimens were taken while feeding on blackberries (Rubus sp.) at an elevation of 1,250 meters.
Rekoa bourkei ______ JM (species endemic to Jamaica)
JAMAICAN HAIRSTREAK
Rekoa marius ______ ABC(C)
MARIUS HAIRSTREAK

In Curacao, Rekoa marius is rare. It was collected there in March 1999 (and when so it was "new" for the island). It was also collected in February 2001.

Genus EUMAEUS
Eumaeus atala ______ BH CU CY (PE:12)
ATALA HAIRSTREAK
(Range: the Bahamas, Cuba; also southeast Florida & the Fla. Keys, in shaded, subtropical hardwood hammocks and adjacent open areas, & botanical gardens with ornamental cycads)

The Atala Hairstreak was only recently discovered in the Cayman Islands (prior to being depicted in a set of Cayman stamps issued in 1994). In the Caymans, it only occurs on Cayman Brac, where the main population appears to be on the central bluff.

Unlike other hairstreaks, the wings of Eumaeus atala are rounded, and there are no hindwing tails. Males are smaller than females.

Genus CHLOROSTRYMON: Mostly South American, these butterflies are dimorphic. Males are often brightly colored.

Chlorostrymon simaethis (ph) ______ ABC(B)(C) DM DR PR SV (F:228) (K:117) (PE:13)(PW:15)
Chlorostrymon simaethis jago ______ JM (subspecies endemic to Jamaica, described in 1943)
Chlorostrymon simaethis simaethis ______ ABC(B)(C) DM SV (subspecies in the Lesser Antilles, and on the ABC islands)
SILVER-BANDED HAIRSTREAK (Other names are Simaethis Hairstreak and St. Christopher's Hairstreak)
(Range: the West Indies; also from the southern US to Argentina)

The Silver-banded Hairstreak is similar to Chlorostrymon maesites in size and pattern, but the uppers are not as lively in color. The male is a dull iridescent purple; the female even duller. The undersides are yellow-green with extensive white areas toward the outer edge of the hindwing. This butterfly breeds on the sapindaceous vine, Cardiospermum halicacabum.

In Curacao, the Silver-banded Hairstreak is rare.



Above & below: Silver-banded Hairstreaks
Above, photographed in Curacao   (upper photo courtesy of Michiel Koomen)
Below, photographed in the Dominican Republic,
showing how the butterfly can blend in with its surroundings
(lower photo by Rob van Brussel)
Chlorostrymon maesites ______ CY(rare) DR JM PR SV (F:227) (PE:13)
Chlorostrymon maesites maesites ______ DR JM PR SV (subspecies in the Bahamas, Cuba, rarely in the Caymans, Hispaniola, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, & the Lesser Antilles)
ANTILLEAN (or AMETHYST) HAIRSTREAK
(Range: in the West Indies, in the Greater Antilles, the Bahamas, and some of the Virgin Islands and Lesser Antilles; also southeast Florida & Fla. Keys, occurring in evergreen or semideciduous forest and hammocks.)

In Jamaica, Chlorostrymon maesites is a butterfly of open ground, where it occurs in fields that have begun to be overgrown. Its flashing colors make it easy to follow as it flits from bush to bush.

In the Cayman Islands, Chlorostrymon maesites is known from only a single occurrence, an unmistakable male on Grand Cayman in July 2003.
Chlorostrymon clenchi ______ DM (species endemic to Dominica)
DOMINICAN HAIRSTEAK (or CLENCH'S HAIRSTREAK)

Chlorostrymon clenchi was once considered a subspecies of Chlorostrymon maesites. The closely-related Chlorostrymon telea ranges in Central & South America.
Chlorostrymon orbis ______ JM (species endemic to Jamaica, described in 1993)
ORBIS HAIRSTREAK
Chlorostrymon telea (ph) ______ ABC(A)(C)
TELEA HAIRSTREAK

In Curacao, the Telea Hairstreak is common.

A Telea Hairstreak photographed in Curacao
(photo courtesy of Michiel Koomen)

Genus CYANOPHRYS
Cyanophrys crethona ______ JM (species endemic to Jamaica)
JAMAICAN GREENSTREAK
Cyanophrys hartii ______ JM (species endemic to Jamaica, described in 1992)
DALLAS MOUNTAIN GREENSTREAK

Genus ALLOSMAITIA
Allosmaitia fidena ______ DR PR (species was thought to be endemic to Hispaniola; found in Puerto Rico)
FIDENA HAIRSTREAK (another name is Vine Hairstreak)

More so than most hairstreaks on Hispaniola, Allosmaitia fidena appears to be associated with mesic woodlands and their margins, paths, and roads.
Allosmaitia coelebs ______ CU (species endemic to Cuba)
CUBAN HAIRSTREAK (has been called St. Peter's Hairstreak)
Allosmaitia piplea ______ DM SL SV (species in the Lesser Antilles on Dominica, St. Lucia, St. VinceNt, & Grenada)
PIPLEA HAIRSTREAK (has been called Godman's Hairstreak)

Genus ELECTROSTRYMON
Electrostrymon angelia ______ BH CU CY DR JM PR (PE:13)
Electrostrymon angelia angelia ______ CU CY (subspecies in Cuba, the Isle of Pines, the Cayman Islands, and in south Florida; in the Caymans, it occurs on Grand Cayman & Cayman Brac)
Electrostrymon angelia boyeri ______ DR PR (subspecies from Hispaniola to the Virgin Islands, described in 1943)
Electrostrymon angelia dowi ______ BH (subspecies in the Bahamas and the Turks & Caicos Is.)
Electrostrymon angelia pantoni ______ JM (subspecies endemic to Jamaica)
FULVOUS HAIRSTREAK
(Range: in the West Indies, in the Bahamas, Cuba, the Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico to the Virgin Islands; also south Florida & Fla. Keys; occurs in tropical hardwood hammock edges)

The Fulvous Hairstreak was only discovered relatively recently in the Cayman Islands (prior to being depicted in a set of Cayman stamps issued in 1994). It was first found on Grand Cayman in 1985.

In the Dominican Republic, the Fulvous Hairstreak has an altitudinal range from sea level to about 1100 meters (at Constanza), but it is much more common at low elevations.

Electrostrymon angelia perches with wings closed on the upper surfaces of leaves, and it roosts in the tree canopy.
Electrostrymon minikyanos ______ DR (species endemic to Hispaniola, described in 1988)

Electrostrymon minikyanos is known only from the Las Abejas region in the Sierra de Baoruco.
Electrostrymon pan ______ JM (species endemic to Jamaica)
PAN HAIRSTREAK
Electrostrymon angerona ______ DM SV (species in the Lesser Antilles)
ANGERONA (or BRONZE) HAIRSTREAK
Electrostrymon dominicana ______ DM (species endemic to Dominica)
DOMINICAN HAIRSTREAK
Electrostrymon nubes ______ ABC(A)(C)
NUBES HAIRSTREAK

In Curacao, the Nubes Hairstreak is common.

Genus NESIOSTRYMON
Nesiostrymon celida ______ CU DR JM PR (species described in 1943)
Nesiostrymon celida albonito ______ DR PR (species in northern Hispaniola & Puerto Rico)
Nesiostrymon celida baorucoensis ______ DR (species endemic to Hispaniola, in the southwest Dominican Republic)
Nesiostrymon celida celida ______ CU (subspecies endemic to Cuba)
CARIBBEAN HAIRSTREAK
Nesiostrymon shoumatoffi ______ JM (species endemic to Jamaica, described in 1943; was a subspecies of Nesiostrymon celida)
SHOUMATOFF'S HAIRSTREAK

Genus TERRA
Terra hispaniola ______ DR (species endemic to Hispaniola, described in 1988)

Terra hispaniola is 1 of the notable species of hairstreaks that have been found in the Las Abejas region of the Sierra de Baoruco at an elevation of about 1,250 meters.
It has been found where mesic broadleaf forest largely replaces pine forest.

Genus MINISTRYMON: These HAIRSTREAKS of North & South America have adaptations for living in deserts. Breed on mesquites, spiny trees, and shrubs of the Proposis genus, which grow in deserts, especially by watercourses. The colors of the butterflies are blue, gray, and black.

Ministrymon azia (formerly Tmolus azia) ______ ABC(A)(C) DR PR SV (K:119) (PE:13)(PW:18)
GRAY MINISTREAK (or Azia Hairstreak)
(Range: the West Indies; also from south Texas to southern Brazil)

In Curacao, the Azia Hairstreak, or Gray Ministreak, is common.
Ministrymon ligia (or Ministrymon maevia) ______ ABC(A)(B)(C)
LIGIA HAIRSTREAK

In Curacao, the Ligia Hairstreak is common.

Genus CALYCOPIS
Calycopis cecrops ______ BH (PE:13)
RED-BANDED HAIRSTREAK
(Range: in the West Indies on New Providence Is. in the Bahamas)

Genus PSEUDOLYCAENA: A single species which occurs mostly in South America, but also in the Caribbean.
Pseudolycaena cybele ______ SV (F:266) (species endemic to Saint Vincent)
(was a subspecies of what was called the Giant Hairstreak, Pseudolycaena marsyas, now called the Marsyas Hairstreak, occurring from Panama to Argentina, including Trinidad)
ST. VINCENT HAIRSTEAK
(Range: in the Windward Islands, in forested areas of St. Vincent.)

The St. Vincent Hairstreak is the largest hairstreak in the West Indies. This tailed blue has curved and pointed forewings. The uppers are sky blue with black markings, and the undersides are a silvery blue with black spots. This butterfly is often found in swampy locations.)

Genus STRYMON: SCRUB HAIRSTREAKS: In both North & South America. Butterflies exhibit seasonal variation.

Strymon melinus ______ BH (PE:15)
GRAY HAIRSTREAK
(Range in the West Indies: on Grand Bahama Island)

Strymon rufofusca ______ SV (K:123) (PE:15) (species in the southern Lesser Antilles)
RED-CRESCENT SCRUB-HAIRSTREAK (or Reddish Hairstreak)
(Range in the West Indies, in the Lesser Antilles including Grenada & Saint Vincent; also south Texas to Argentina)
Strymon martialis ______ BH CU CY JM (F:273) (PE:15)
MARTIAL SCRUB-HAIRSTREAK (Other names are: Long-tailed Hairstreak, Blue-and-Gray Hairstreak, and Cuban Gray Hairstreak)
(Range: in the West Indies in the Bahamas, Cuba, the Cayman Islands, & Jamaica; also south Florida & Fla. Keys, in open lowlands)

The sexes of the Martial (or Cuban) Scrub-Hairstreak are fairly similar, although the slightly larger female has a more pronounced violet-blue. The violet-blue covers most of the hindwing and the trailing edge of the forewing. The rest of the wings are dark brown. The male has a dark sex brand on the forewing.

In the Caymans, Strymon martialis occurs on Grand Cayman and Little Cayman. On Little Cayman, it can be common. On Grand Cayman, it was first seen in 1985.
Strymon acis ______ BH CU CY DR DM JM PR (F:273) (PE:15)
Strymon acis acis ______ DM (subspecies in the Lesser Antilles, from St. Martin to Dominica)
Strymon acis armouri ______ BH (subspecies in the Bahamas, on Great Bahama Bank from Andros to Long Is., possibly Crooked Is., described in 1943)
Strymon acis casasi ______ CU CY (subspecies in Cuba & the Cayman Islands, described in 1943)
Strymon acis gossei ______ JM (subspecies endemic to Jamaica, described in 1943)
Strymon acis leucosticha ______ (subspecies on Middle Caicos Is., described in 1943)
Strymon acis mars ______ PR (subspecies in Puerto Rico & the Virgin Islands, and Mona Is. & Culebra Is.)
Strymon acis petioni ______ DR (subspecies endemic to Hispaniola, described in 1943)
CARIBBEAN (or BARTRAM'S) SCRUB-HAIRSTREAK (Other names are: Drury's Hairstreak, Acis Hairstreak, & Antillean Hairstreak)   (Other names are: Drury's Hairstreak, Acis Hairstreak, & Antillean Hairstreak)
(Range: in the West Indies, in the Bahamas, the Greater Antilles, and in the Lesser Antilles as far south as Dominica; also south Florida & Fla. Keys, occurring in gardens and beside woodland. It breeds on the attractive spurge plant, Croton.)

The Caribbean, or Bartram's Scrub-Hairstreak is a two-tailed hairstreak. The sexes are fairly similar, brown-black above and gray-slate below. There is a thick "hairstreak" line crossing the wings, and a large orange spot by the tails.

A large number of more or less distinct island forms of Strymon acis have developed in the Caribbean, and many have been formally described as subspecies. The population in the Caymans has not been assigned to a subspecies, as its taxonomy there is still confused.
Strymon limenia ______ DR PR (PE:14) (species in the Greater Antilles and on St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands)
LIMENIA SCRUB-HAIRSTREAK (has also been called the Disguised Scrub-Hairstreak)
(Range: in some of the West Indies; also Florida Keys)

Although widely distributed on Hispaniola, Strymon limenius is less common there than Strymon istapa cybira.

Strymon bazochii ______ CU DR JM (K:123) (PE:15)(PW:18)
Strymon bazochii gundlachianus ______ DR (subspecies in Cuba, Hispaniola, & Jamaica)
LANTANA SCRUB-HAIRSTREAK (or Bazochii Hairstreak)
(Range: the Greater Antilles; also from south Texas to Paraguay)
Strymon istapa (ph) ______ BH CY DR(*) JM PR
Strymon istapa arecibo ______ PR (subspecies endemic to Puerto Rico, described in 1943)
Strymon istapa cybira ______ BH DR(*) JM (subspecies in the Bahamas & most of the Greater Antilles)
MALLOW SCRUB-HAIRSTREAK (has been called Dotted Hairstreak)
(Range: in the West Indies, in the Bahamas, Cuba, the Isle of Pines, the Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico; also in the southern US and Mexico. In the Caymans, it occurs on Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, and Cayman Brac.)

In literature regarding Caribbean butterflies, Strymon istapa has appeared as a subspecies of Strymon columella (S. c. cybira).

On Hispaniola & Jamaica, Strymon istapa is the most common of the hairsteaks. It is found almost always in grassy areas: at fields, roadsides, and clearings in cafeteres.

A Mallow Scrub-Hairstreak
during the FONT tour in the Dominican Republic in April 2012
(photo by Marie Gardner)
Strymon columella ______ PR(only Culebra Is.) VI (species from Culebra Is. & the Virgin islands and from St. Kitts to Antigua)
COLUMELLA (or HEWITSON'S) SCRUB-HAIRSTREAK
Strymon toussainti ______ DR (species endemic to Hispaniola, described in 1943)
TOUSSAINT'S SCRUB-HAIRSTREAK
Strymon andrewi ______ DR (species endemic to Hispaniola, in the southwest Dominican Republic, described in 1988)
ANDREW'S SCRUB-HAIRSTREAK

The recently-described Strymon andrewi is one of the notable species of hairstreaks in the Las Abejas area in the higher elevations of the Sierra de Baoruco, where it has also been found at Aceitillar. It has been found in an open hilltop pasture between 1,030 & 1,130 meters. The area around the pasture was deciduous woods and included cafetal. It has also been found in the small Ageratum conyzoides bush in open pinewoods.

Strymon andrewi is apparently related to Strymon toussainti.
Strymon christophei ______ DR (species endemic to Hispaniola, described in 1943)
HISPANIOLAN SCRUB-HAIRSTREAK
Strymon monopeteinus ______ DR (species endemic to Hispaniola, described in 1985)
SHINING SCRUB-HAIRSTREAK
Strymon bubastus (ph) ______ ABC(A)(B)(C) DM PR SV
Strymon bubastus bubastus ______ ABC(A)(B)(C)
Strymon bubastus ponce ______ DM PR SV (subspecies on Puerto Rico & Mona Is. and the Virgin islands, and in the Lesser Antilles south to Grenada, subspecies described in 1943)
DISJUNCT SCRUB-HAIRSTREAK (also known as the Cramer's Scrub-Hairstreak; has also been called Bubastus Hairstreak)

In Curacao, the Disjunct Scrub-Hairstreak, or Bubastus Hairstreak, is abundant.

Disjunct Scrub-Hairstreaks photographed in Curacao
(photo courtesy of Michiel Koomen)
Strymon amonensis ______ PR (species endemic to Mona Is. in Puerto Rico, described in 1991)
MONA ISLAND SCRUB-HAIRSTREAK
Strymon basilides ______ ABC(C)
BASILIDES HAIRSTREAK

In Curacao, the Basilides Hairstreak is rare, It has only been seen at one spot, in Christoffel Park, during two consecutive years, on blooming Caesalpinia coriaria (a plant known locally as Watapana).

Subfamily POLYOMMATINAE: BLUES
Very small butterflies, mostly blue above. Females of many are browner.

Genus BREPHIDIUM

The Pygmy-Blues, in the genus BREPHIDIUM, are for the most part more brown than blue. Considered the smallest butterflies in North America, they have had a volatile taxonomic history.
The Eastern Pygmy Blue, Brephidium pseudofea, was originally described from the Florida Keys and has been considered separate from both its Antillean relatives and the closely-allied Western Pygmy Blue, Brephidium exilis.
As recently as in 1986, all three (the eastern, western, and Antillean populations) have been regarded as a single species, but a recent prevailing view (although not unanimous) has combined the Caribbean and Florida races as Brephidium isophthalma, with the Western Pygmy Blue being Brephidium exilis.
Here, the Antillean and Cayman Pygmy Blues are considered as subspecies of the Western Pygmy Blue.
Brephidium exilis (ph) ______ ABC(A)(B)(C) BH CU CY(*) DR(*) JM (PE:15)
Brephidium exilis isophthalma ______ BH CU DR(*) JM (the "Antillean Pygmy Blue")
Brephidium exilis thompsoni ______ CY(*) (subspecies endemic in the Cayman Islands: the "Grand Cayman Pygmy Blue")
(WESTERN) PYGMY BLUE
(Range: the western US & Mexico, and in the West Indies)

The "Grand Cayman Pygmy Blue", B. e. thompsoni, was named, in 1938, after Gerald Thompson, an Oxford University biology student, who took part that year in the Oxford Expedition to the Cayman Islands.
The subspecies, endemic to Grand Cayman Island, was first discovered in 1938. It was not found again until 1985, when two colonies were located on the north & west coasts of the island. In 2002, another colony was found on Grand Cayman at Midland Acres.

The diminutive lycaenid, Brephidium exilis, is generally coastal. However, on Hispaniola, it occurs as far as 50 kilometers inland in the area of Diverge, and even further inland toward Jimini, in the Valle de Neiba plain. This is because the plain is a remnant of a marine strait that, with the receding of the ocean, has since become dry land. The earth in this plain at places glitters with salt crystals, and Batis maritima, the plant with which the life cycle of Brephidium exilis isophthalma is allied, thrives in such a hypersaline environment.
Batis maritima is normally coastal. Near the sea, In dunes and xeric flatlands, Batis maritima forms the understory of open acacia-cactus woods.
The tiny Pygmy Blues are often abundant coastally, and they occur in swarms just above the Batis, landing on it and the very low shrubs growing in association with the halophyte.
When the sun is high, the activity of the small butterfly is markedly less.

In Curacao, the Pygmy Blue is common.



A Pygmy Blue photographed in Curacao
(photo courtesy of Michiel Koomen)

Genus LEPTOTES: A relatively small grouping of striped and generally tailed blues, small in size, which have colonized various parts of Europe, Asia, and North and South America. They are sexually dimorphic. Butterflies breed on members of the pea family, Leguminosae. Some species are migratory.

Leptotes cassius (ph) ______ ABC(A)(B)(C) BH CU CY(*) DM DR(*) JM PR SL SV (K:127) (PE:16)(PW:19) (S:99)
Leptotes cassius cassioides (or chadwicki) ______ (subspecies on Windward & some Leeward Islands)
Leptotes cassius cassius ______ ABC(A)(B)(C)
Leptotes cassius catilina ______ PR VI (subspecies on Culebra Is. & and from the Virgin Islands to St. Martin)
Leptotes cassius theonus ______ CY(*) DR(*) JM   PR (subspecies in the Greater Antilles, and Mona Island, the Cayman Islands, and in the Bahamas & Florida, USA; in the Caymans on Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, & Cayman Brac)
CASSIUS BLUE
(Range: the West Indies; also from the southern US to South America)

Cassius Blue males are a light lilac-blue, females are mainly white. the species is particularly attracted to blue and violet flowers, in open grassy scrubland.

In Curacao, the Cassius Blue is abundant.

Above & below: Two photos of a Cassius Blue during a FONT tour
in the Dominican Republic in February 2012
(photos by Marie Gardner)
Leptotes hedgesi ______ CU (species endemic to Cuba)
HEDGES' BLUE
Leptotes idealus ______ DR (species endemic to Hispaniola, in the southwest Dominican Republic) (species described in 1988)
IDEAL BLUE

The relatively recently-described Leptotes idealus was found in deciduous forest at Las Abejas in the Sierra de Baoruco at an elevation of about 1,160 meters.
Leptotes idealus can readily be distinguished from Leptotes cassius theonus by having only 1 black spot near the margin of the under-hindwing rather than the 2 adjacent spots as on L. c. theonus.
Leptotes perkinsae ______ JM (species endemic to Jamaica)
PERKINS' BLUE

Genus CYCLARGUS (formerly part of the following genus, HEMIARGUS)
Butterflies in the genera CYCLARGUS & HEMIARGUS have commonly been called "EYED BLUES".
These butterflies occur in both North & South America.
The common name is from 2 or 3 eye-spots on the undersides of the hindwings. They breed on a wide variety of members of the pea family, Leguminosae.
Cyclargus ammon (was Hemiargus ammon) ______ CU CY(*)
Cyclargus ammon erembis ______ CY(*) (subspecies in the Cayman Islands: "Cayman Lucas Blue")
Cyclargus ammon ammon ______ CU (subspecies in Cuba)
NICKERBEAN BLUE (also called LUCAS'S BLUE)
(Range: locally in the West Indies, and in the Florida Keys; it was first found in Florida in 1985, and has since become established on the Lower Keys.)

The taxonomy of the Cyclargus genus is somewhat confused.
In recent literature (in 2004), Cyclargus thomasi (below) is treated as a subspecies of Cyclargus ammon.
Cyclargus ammon, however, differs from Cyclargus thomasi in having a row of 3, not 4, small dark spots at the base of the hindwing underside.

Cyclargus ammon erembis was originally described as a full species, and opinion is still divided as to whether or not it is. Further research could show it to be specifically distinct, and thus the only butterfly species endemic to the Cayman Islands.

In Florida, the Nickerbean Blue, Cyclargus ammon, was previously misidentified as Cyclargus (formerly Hemiargus) thomasi berthunebakeri, the Miami Blue.

Cyclargus thomasi (was Hemiargus thomasi) ______ BH CR PR   (F:238) (PE:15)
Cyclargus thomasi bahammensis ______ BH (subspecies in the Bahamas, on the islands: Crooked, Acklins, Ragged, & Plana Cays, described in 1943)
Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri ______ BH (subspecies in the Bahamas, in the Bimini Islands, described in 1943)
Cyclargus thomasi clenchi ______ BH (subspecies on Mayaguana, Great & Little Inagua, and the Turks & Caicos Banks, described in 1992)
Cyclargus thomasi noelli ______ DR (subspecies endemic to Hispaniola, described in 1943)
Cyclargus thomasi thomasi ______   BH (subspecies in the Bahamas, on Grand Bahama Is., described in 1941)
Cyclargus thomasi woodruffi ______ PR (subspecies on Puerto Rico, Mona Is., Culebra Is., & the Virgin Islands to the Leeward Islands, described in 1943)
MIAMI (EYED) BLUE (also called the Caribbean (Eyed) Blue, or Thomas's (Eyed) Blue)
(Range: the West Indies; also Florida Keys & formerly south Florida, in tropical hardwood hammock openings and edges.)

The key identification feature of the Miami Blue is the pair of large black spots on the leading edge of the underside of the hindwing. The female has orange around one of two other black spots which are near the trailing edge of the hindwing. The uppers of the male are powdery blue.

In the Dominican Republic, in contrast with Hemiargus ceraunus and Hemiargus hanno, Cyclargus thomasi noeli is distinctly xerophilic, although it does occur occasionally in mesic areas.
Cyclargus kathleena ______ DR (species endemic to Hispaniola, in the southwest Dominican Republic, described in 1992)
KATHLEEN'S BLUE
Cyclargus sorpresus ______ DR (species endemic to Hispaniola, in the southwest Dominican Republic, described in 1992)
SURPRISE BLUE
Cyclargus dominica (ph) ______ JM (species endemic to Jamaica)
JAMAICAN BLUE

Jamaican Blue
(photo courtesy of Shelley Hall,
this is one of a series of photos sent to us by students
at the Pimento Hall International School, in Runaway Bay, Jamaica)
Cyclargus shutum ______ JM (species endemic to Jamaica, described in 1995)
JOHN & TOM'S BLUE
Cyclargus huntingtoni ______ ABC(C)
HUNTINGTON'S HAIRSTREAK
(Range: Trinidad, offshore Venezuelan islands, probably coastal Venezuela, and Curacao.
Throughout its range, it is apparently an uncommon to rare butterfly.)

The Huntington's Hairstreak is difficult to distinguish in the field from the Ceraunus, or Hanno Blue (below).

In Curacao, the Huntington's Hairstreak has only been sporadically collected, once at Rif-Otrabanda and once at the Hato Plains.

Genus HEMIARGUS

Hemiargus ceraunus (or H. hanno) (or Cyclargus ceraunus (or C. hanno) ______ ABC(A)(B)(C) BH CU CY(*) DM DR JM PR SL SV (K:129) (PE:15) (PW:19)
Hemiargus ceraunus antibubastus ______ BH (subspecies on Grand Bahama Island)
Hemiargus ceraunus ceraunus ______ DR JM (subspecies on Hispaniola, Jamaica, & some Bahama Islands)
Hemiargus ceraunus filenus ______ CY(*) (subspecies in Cuba and the Isle of Pines, the Bahamas, the Turks & Caicos Islands, and the Cayman Islands, where it occurs on Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, & Cayman Brac)
Hemiargus ceraunus watsoni ______ DM PR SL SV (subspecies in Puerto Rico, on Mona Is., & south through the Lesser Antilles to Grenada)
CERAUNUS BLUE
(Range: the West Indies; also from the southern US to South America)

In some literature, Hemiargus (or Cyclargus) ceraunus, the Ceraunus Blue, in the West Indies is referred to as Hemiargus hanno, the Hanno Blue.

Like most blues, Hemiargus ceraunus (or hanno) inhabits grassy areas, roadsides, shady banana groves, coastal areas, hillsides, upland cafetales, doline pastures, mixed pine-deciduous woodland, and lowland Acacia woodlands and scrubby areas, as well as the edges of and within xeric woodlands.
Generally, Hemiargus ceraunus (or hanno) prefers more mesic (rather than xeric) situations, although it does not completely shun the latter.

In Curacao, the Ceraunus Blue, or Hanno Blue, is abundant.

Genus PSEUDOCHRYSOPS
Pseudochrysops bornoi ______ CU DR PR
Pseudochrysops bornoi bornoi ______ DR (subspecies endemic to Hispaniola, described in 1943)
Pseudochrysops bornoi escobioi ______ PR (subspecies endemic to Puerto Rico, described in 1987)
Pseudochrysops bornoi yateritas ______ CU (subspecies endemic to southeast Cuba)
ANTILLEAN BLUE (another name is Xeric Blue)

Family RIODINIDAE: METALMARKS

Genus THEOPE
Theope virgilius ______ ABC(B)(C)
BLUE-BASED THEOPE

In Curacao, the Blue-based Theope is rare.

Family NYMPHALIDAE: BRUSHFOOTS
Cosmopolitan, with subfamilies range from 8 to 25, depending upon taxonomic treatment

This is the most diverse family of butterflies, with approximately 6,000 known species worldwide. Brushfoot butterflies appear 4 rather than 6-legged as their 2 front legs are much reduced.

Subfamily LIBYTHEINAE: SNOUTS

Genus LIBYTHEANA: A group of SNOUT BUTTERFLIES with long palps which protrude under the head like a snout. There are about 10 species which occur in South and Central America, and the West Indies.
They breed on members of Celtis which belong to the elm family, Ulmaceae.

Libytheana motya ______ CU (species in Cuba)
CUBAN SNOUT

Libytheana motya, and the following 2 species, L. fulvescens and L. terena, have been considered as subspecies of the mostly South American Libytheana carinenta, the American Snout, a widespread species ranging from the southern US to Brazil.
Illustrations of L. carinenta: (C:281) (DV1:20) (F:175) (K:223) (PE:18)(PW:22) (S:146)
Libytheana fulvescens ______ DM (species endemic to the Lesser Antillean island of Dominica)
DOMINICAN SNOUT
Libytheana terena ______ DR PR (species on Hispaniola, and rarely in Jamaica & Puerto Rico)
ANTILLEAN SNOUT
Libytheana (carinenta) bachmani ______ ABC(C)
AMERICAN SNOUT

In Curacao, the American Snout has been found to be a pollinator of 2 species of columnar cacti, and off the southern coast of the island it has been observed flying over a reef.

Subfamily CHARAXINAE: LEAF BUTTERFLIES

Genus ANAEA: LEAFWINGS: This grouping of about 120 species occur in the Caribbean and Central & South America. They are similar in behavior to the African genus CHARAXES. They are called LEAFWING butterflies because the undersides of the wings are leaf-like and disguise the butterfly when it settles on the ground. Some species are sexually dimorphic. The larvae feed on members of the Euphorbiaceae (spurges), Piperaceae (peppers), and Lauraceae.
Anaea troglodyta (ph) ______ CY(*) DR GD JM PR VI (F:116)
Anaea troglodyta astina ______ VI (subspecies in the Virgin Islands on St. Thomas, St. Croix, Tortola)
Anaea troglodyta borinquenalis ______ PR (subspecies endemic to Puerto Rico including Mona Is.) (subspecies described in 1941)
Anaea troglodyta cubana ______ CY(*) (subspecies in Cuba, the Isle of Pines, & Grand Cayman Island)
Anaea troglodyta minor ______ GD (subspecies in the Lesser Antilles, on St. Bartholomew & St. Kitts to Guadeloupe)
Anaea troglodyta portia _____ JM (subspecies endemic to Jamaica)
Anaea troglodyta troglodyta ______ DR (the nominate subspecies, endemic to Hispaniola)
FLORIDA LEAFWING (other names have been Troglodyte or the Cuban Red Leaf Butterfly)
(Range: in the Caribbean, in Jamaica, Cuba, Grand Cayman, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and some of the Lesser Antilles)

Anaea troglodyta cubana is closely related to Anaea troglodyta floridalis, the race of the Florida Leafwing, in the Florida Keys & extreme southern peninsular Florida - (PE:25).

Anaea troglodyta cubana is the largest Anaea. It is distinguished by its bright orange, almost red, color on the upper surface. The forewing is hooked, and the hindwing is partially scalloped with a substantial tail. Females are larger than males. The undersides are dull. This butterfly feeds on members of the spurge family, such as crotons, often grown in gardens.

Anaea troglodyta was first discovered on Grand Cayman Island in 1983.

Anaea troglodyta borinquenalis has been said by some to be a distinct species, Anaea borinquenalis, the PUERTO RICAN LEAFWING.

The Florida Leafwing has been said by some some taxonomists to be a subspecies of the Tropical Leafwing, Anaea aidea, ranging from Texas to Costa Rica.

Anaea troglodyta, the Florida Leafwing or Cuban Red Leaf Butterfly
(photo courtesy of Adrian Delnevo)

Genus MEMPHIS
Memphis echemus ______ BH CU CY(*) (PE:25) (a somber relative of Anaea troglodyta)
Memphis echemus bahamae ______ BH (subspecies in the Bahamas, on New Providence & Andros Is., described in 1972)
Memphis echemus echemus ______ CU (subspecies on Cuba & the Isle of Pines)
Memphis echemus danielana ______ CY(*) (the "Cayman Velvety Brown Leaf-Butterfly", this subspecies endemic to the Cayman Islands, on all 3 islands; 1 of the 5 butterfly species or subspecies endemic to the Caymans) (this subspecies described in 1972)
CUBAN LEAFWING (has been called the Chestnut Leafwing or the Cuban Brown Leaf Butterfly)
(Range: Cuba, the Caymans, & the Bahamas)
Memphis intermedia ______ BH (species endemic to the Bahamas, described in 1972)
Memphis intermedia intermedia ______ BH (subspecies on Great Inagua Bank and the Turks & Caicos Is., described in 1972)
Memphis intermedia mayaguanae ______ BH (subspecies on Mayaguana Bank, described in 1992)
Memphis intermedia venus ______ BH (subspecies on the islands of Crooked and Acklins Bank, described in 1992)
BAHAMAN LEAFWING
Memphis verticordia ______ DR (species endemic to Hispaniola)
HISPANIOLAN LEAFWING
Memphis dominicana ______ DM SL
Memphis dominicana dominicana ______ DM (subspecies endemic to Dominica)
Memphis dominicana luciana ______ SL (subspecies endemic to St. Lucia)
DOMINICAN LEAFWING (was called the Godman's Brown Leaf Butterfly)

Genus FOUNTAINEA (formerly MEMPHIS)
Fountainea johnsoni (was Memphis johnsoni) (ph) ______ DR JM (species on Jamaica & Hispaniola)
JOHNSON'S LEAFWING

Johnson's Leafwing
(photo courtesy of Shelley Hall,
this is one of a series of photos sent to us by students
at the Pimento Hall International School, in Runaway Bay, Jamaica)

Genus HYPNA
Hypna clytemnestra ______ CU
Hypna clytemnestra iphigenia ______ CU (subspecies endemic to Cuba)
SILVER-STUDDED LEAFWING
(Range: in the Wet Indies in Cuba; also from Mexico to Bolivia)

Genus SIDERONE: 3 or 4 distinctive butterflies distributed from southern Mexico to southern Brazil, with 1 species in the West Indies.
Siderone galanthis nemesis (ph) ______ CU DR PR
RED-STRIPED LEAFWING (has also been called RED-AND-BLACK LEAFWING)
(Range: some of the Greater Antilles; also southern Mexico to southern Brazil)

In Puerto Rico, the Red-striped Leafwing is rare.

Red-striped Leafwing
(copyrighted photo by Lisa Johnson)

Subfamily CHARAXINAE, Tribe PREPONII

Genus ARCHAEOPREPONA
Archaeoprepona demophoon (ph) ______ CU DR(*) JM
Archaeoprepona demophoon insulicola (was amphitoe) ______ DR(*) (subspecies endemic to Hispaniola)
Archaeoprepona demophoon crassina ______ CU (subspecies endemic to Cuba)
Archaeoprepona demophoon ramosorum ______ PR (subspecies endemic to Puerto Rico, described in 1989)
TWO-SPOTTED PREPONA (also called the Silverking, or Hubner's Shoemaker)
(Range: in the West Indies in Cuba & Hispaniola; also from Mexico to Paraguay)

The Two-spotted Prepona, or Silver King

Subfamily BIBLIDINAE, Tribe BIBLIDINI

Genus MESTRA
Mestra hersilia hersilia (formerly M. cana) ______ BD DM SL SV
SOUTH AMERICAN MESTRA (has also been called Saint Lucia Mestra)
(Range: confined to the Windward Islands: Dominica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Barbados, & Grenada; also in Trinidad & Tobago and in northern South America)

The South American (or Saint Lucia) Mestra is on Saint Lucia a fairly common but drab yellow-gray species with light whitish-gray patches. It is a slow flier, settling on flowers bordering hill tracks and roadsides.
Mestra dorcas ______ JM (species endemic to Jamaica)
JAMAICAN MESTRA

The Jamaican Mestra is with an orange coloration.

Genus ARCHIMESTRA
Archimestra teleboas ______ DR (species endemic to Hispaniola)
ARCHIMESTRA

Genus LUCINIA
Lucinia sida ______ BH CU DR
Lucinia sida albomaculata ______ BH (subspecies endemic to the Bahamas, described in 1955)
Lucinia sida sida ______ CU (subspecies endemic to Cuba)
Lucinia sida torrebia ______ DR (subspecies endemic to Hispaniola)
CARIBBEAN BANNER
Lucinia cadma ______ JM (species endemic to Jamaica)
JAMAICAN BANNER

Genus BIBLIS: A single species. Breeds on Tragia, a species of spurge.

Biblis hyperia hyperia (ph) ______ DM DR GD(*) PR(*) SL SV (DV1:21) (F:124) (K:215) (PE:25)(PW:31)
RED RIM
(Range: the West Indies, widespread in the Lesser Antilles, from the Virgin Islands to St. Lucia, and common in the Greater Antilles except Cuba and Jamaica; also occurs from Mexico to the Amazon Basin)

The Red Rim is quite variable throughout its range. It is a fairly slow flier that frequents open ground, feeding often on rotting fruit, but also settling, with open wings, on green vegetation. It is common.

Red Rim

Subfamily BIBLIDINAE, Tribe AGERONIINI

Genus HAMADRYAS: the CRACKERS, also called "CALICO BUTTERFLIES"
Hamadryas amphichloe (ph) ______ CU CY DR(*) JM PR (PE:26)
Hamadryas amphichloe diasia ______ CU CY DR(*) JM PR (subspecies in the Antilles)
PALE CRACKER (another name is the CARIBBEAN CRACKER; also called the Haitian Cracker, or "Click Butterfly")
(Range: the West Indies; also in South America south to Ecuador; a rare stray in the Florida Keys, where possibly an import on exotic plants. Can be common on Hispaniola; also known in Cuba & Jamaica.)

In the Cayman Islands, the Pale Cracker is rare.

On a tree, the Pale Cracker, photographed in the Dominican Republic
Hamadryas feronia (ph) ______ ABC(C)
VARIABLE CRACKER (or Calico)

In Curacao, the Variable Cracker is abundant.

A Variable Cracker photographed in Curacao
(photo courtesy of Michiel Koomen)

Subfamily BIBLIDINAE, Tribe EPICALLINI

Genus EUNICA: PURPLEWINGS
There are from some say 40 or so to maybe 60 species in Central & South America and the Greater Antilles, but most occur almost exclusively in Amazonas. They live mostly in primary forest, and have a preference for sub-montane habitats. Like most NYMPHALIDS, they are attracted to putrefying fruit. Most species are medium-sized with dull-coloring and SATYRID-like ocelli and markings below.

Eunica tatila (ph) ______ BH CU DR JM PR (DV1:22) (K:215) (PE:25)(PW:30)
Eunica tatila tatilista ______ DR PR (subspecies on Hispaniola & Puerto Rico)
FLORIDA PURPLEWING (or Large Purplewing)
(Range: the West Indies, in the Greater Antilles; also from the southern US to the Amazon Basin)

Florida Purplewing

Eunica monima ______ ABC(C) BH CU DR JM PR (DV1:22) (K:215) (PE:25) (PW:30)
Eunica monima modesta ______ BH CU DR JM PR (subspecies in the West Indies)
DINGY PURPLEWING
(Range: the Antilles & Bahamas; also the US & Mexico thru Central & South America)

In Curacao, the Dingy Purplewing is rare.

Genus MYSCELIA: About a dozen species of strongly sexually dimorphic butterflies, distributed from Mexico to Paraguay, and in Hispaniola in the West Indies.
Mycelia aracynthia ______ DR (species endemic to Hispaniola)
HISPANIOLAN BLUEWING

Mycelia aracynthia has been called "the Royal Blue". It is one of the most spectacular of Hispaniolan butterflies.

Subfamily BIBLIDINAE, Tribe EUBAGINI

Genus DYNAMINE: SAILORS
Dynamine serina (was egaea) ______ CU DR JM
Dynamine serina calais ______ CU (subspecies endemic to Cuba)
Dynamine serina serina ______ JM (subspecies endemic to Jamaica)
Dynamine serina zetes ______ DR (subspecies endemic to Hispaniola)
CARIBBEAN SAILOR
Dynamine postaverta (or mylitta) ______ ABC(C) (DV1:24)
FOUR-SPOTTED SAILOR (other names are Mylitta Greenwing and Mexican Sailor)
(Range: Mexico thru Central and South America)

In Curacao, the Four-spotted Sailor, or Mylitta Greenwing is rare.

Subfamily LIMENITIDINAE, Tribe LIMENITIDINI

Genus ADELPHA: SISTERS
Over a hundred species which are among the most common and characteristic butterflies of the Neotropics. They occur from Central America south to Paraguay & Argentina, with some in the West Indies. Throughout that range, they can be found from sea level to 8 or 9,000 feet.
These butterflies share the characteristic of an orange patch at the apex of the forewing, a feature had by few other Caribbean butterflies.
Adelpha abyla ______ JM (species endemic to Jamaica)
JAMAICAN SISTER
Adelpha iphicla iphimedia ______ CU (subspecies endemic to Cuba)
IPHICLEOLA SISTER (subspecies was called Cuban Admiral; another subspecies in Central America)
Adelpha lapitha ______ DR (species endemic to Hispaniola)
HISPANIOLAN SISTER
Adelpha gelania ______ DR PR(*)
Adelpha gelania gelania ______ DR (subspecies endemic to Hispaniola)
Adelpha gelania arecosa ______ PR (subspecies endemic to Puerto Rico)
ANTILLEAN SISTER (another name is Modest Sister; was called Haitian Admiral)
(Range: Hispaniola & Puerto Rico)

Subfamily APATURINAE

Genus DOXOCOPA (or CHLORIPPE): About 30 species distributed from Mexico to Argentina, and in the West Indies. They are forest fliers that are sometimes confused with ADELPHA, but they can be distinguished from species in that genus by the blue or green metallic reflection of the upper surface and the silvery white ground color of the under surface.
Doxocopa thoe (ph) ______ DR (species endemic to Hispaniola)
HISPANIOLAN EMPEROR

Above & below: two photos of a male Hispaniolan Emperor
(photos by Rob van Brussel)

Below: a female Hispaniolan Emperior
(photo by Rob van Brussel)
Doxocopa laure ______ CU JM
Doxocopa laure druryi ______ CU (subspecies endemic to Cuba)
Doxocopa laure laura (or fabricii) ______ JM (subspecies endemic to Jamaica)
SILVER EMPEROR

Genus ASTEROCAMPA
Asterocampa idyja ______ CU DR PR
Asterocampa idyja idyja ______ CU DR PR (subspecies on Cuba, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico; another subspecies in Mexico & Central America)
DUSKY EMPEROR

Subfamily CYRESTINAE

Genus MARPESIA: DAGGERWINGS: A genus of mostly Central and South American butterflies, but also occurs in Africa. Called "daggerwings" after the long tail on each hindwing..
The butterflies, some of which are dimorphic, engage in mud-puddling.

Marpesia petreus (ph) ______ DM PR SL SV (DV1:23) (F:177) (K:219) (PE:25)(PW:31) (S:123)
Marpesia petreus damicorum ______ DM PR SL SV (subspecies in the West Indies)
RUDDY DAGGERWING (also called Southern Daggertail; in the West Indies called the TAILED FLAMBEAU)
(Range: in the West Indies, in the Lesser Antilles on St. Lucia, Dominica, Guadeloupe, St. Kitts, and in Puerto Rico & on nearby Mona Island; also from the southern US thru Central & South America)

The Ruddy Daggerwing visits flowers and mud-puddles. In flight, very similar to Dione juno, the Silver Spot, and one or two other species that feed to together on flowering shrubs. This species and Dione juno both occur in the Lesser Antilles.

Ruddy Daggerwing

Marpesia chiron ______ CU CY DR JM PR (C:273) (DV1:23) (K:219) (PE:25)(PW:31)
MANY-BANDED DAGGERWING
(Range: the West Indies; also southern US, Central & South America. Rarely in Jamaica. Its Caribbean stronghold is Cuba.)

The Many-banded Daggerwing is most commonly observed at fallen fruit.

Of the 2 species of daggerwings on Hispaniola, Marpesia chiron is by far the less common.

Marpesia chiron has occurred as a vagrant on Grand Cayman Island. One was photographed there in December 2005.
Marpesia eleuchea (ph) ______ BH CU CY DR JM (PE:25)
Marpesia eleuchea bahamensis ______ (subspecies endemic to the Bahamas, on the islands of: New Providence, Eleuthera, Crooked, Andros, & San Salvador, described in 1971)
Marpesia eleuchea dospassosi ______ (subspecies endemic to Hispaniola, described in 1971)
Marpesia eleuchea eleuchea ______ (the nominate subspecies, in Cuba & the Isle of Pines; strays to southern Florida Keys, US)
Marpesia eleuchea pellenis ______ (subspecies endemic to Jamaica)
CARIBBEAN DAGGERWING (has also been called Cuban Daggerwing)
(Range: the West Indies; occasionally strays to the Florida Keys, presumably from Cuba; Occurs in tropical woodlands.)

At least 4 subspecies of the Antillean Daggerwing, as noted above, are known. Most common in the Greater Antilles, this butterfly breeds on Ficus species.
The absence of Marpesia eleuchea in Puerto Rico and the Lesser Antilles is noteworthy. Those islands are occupied by Marpesia petreus, the Ruddy Daggerwing, a species also found in Florida.
The key difference between the Antillean Daggerwing and the Ruddy Daggerwing, or the Tailed Flambeau, is the bent lines crossing the wings. In M. petreus, the Ruddy Daggerwing, they are straight.

Marpesia eleuchea has occurred as a vagrant and temporary resident on Grand Cayman Island. It was discovered there in December 2001, at a garden in Georgetown. Sightings continued there and nearby, of multiple individuals, until April 2002.

Some consider Marpesia eleuchea as a subspecies of Marpesia petreus, the Ruddy Daggerwing, that occurs in Central & South America, and ranging north in the US to Texas & Florida. In the Caribbean, it occurs, as noted above, in Puerto Rico, on Mona island, and in the Lesser Antilles.
Marpesia petreus differs from Marpesia eleuchea in having a longer tail, more produced tornal angles and forewing apex, and straight transverse black lines on the forewing. On Marpesia eleuchea, the only complete transverse black line is angled basically over its anterior one-third.

Above: A Caribbean Daggerwing photographed in the Dominican Republic
Below: A Caribbean Daggerwing on its way to becoming a butterfly
(both photos by Rob van Brussel)

Subfamily NYMPHALINAE, Tribe NYMPHALINI

Genus COLOBURA: only 1 species is in this genus

Colobura dirce (ph) ______ CU DR(*) JM PR (C:291) (DV1:21) (S:114)
Colobura dirce wolcotti ______ CU DR(*) JM PR (subspecies on Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica, Puerto Rico)
THE MOSAIC (also called the SMALL BEAUTY or the Dirce Beauty)
(Range: the West Indies; also from Mexico thru Central & South America)

Overall, The Mosaic is very common and may be encountered on rotting fruit or simply resting very still on a tree trunk for a long period of time. In the West Indies, it is common in Cuba, the Dominican Republic, & Puerto Rico.

Small Beauty

Subfamily NYMPHALINAE, Tribe COEINI

Genus HISTORIS: 1 of these species, H. acheronta used to be regarded as belonging to a genus of its own, COEA.

Historis odius (ph) ______ CU DM DR(*) JM PR SL SV (DV1:21) (PE :text)
Historis odius odius ______ CU DR(*) JM PR (subspecies on Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica, Puerto Rico)
Historis odius orion ______ DM SL SV (subspecies in the Lesser Antilles)
ORION CECROPIAN (also called Stinky Leaf Wing)
(Range: the West Indies; also throughout Central & South America; in North America it's a rare stray to Florida)

The Orion Cecropian is a strong flier, found on all of the islands of the Lesser Antilles. The wings have velvety dark brown uppersides and cryptically-colored undersides. At rest, with the wings folded, this butterfly blends into the background which is often tree bark.

Above & below: An Orion Cecropian that flew into a house at the end of the day
on the island of Saint Vincent in the West Indies.
Our thanks to Astrill for e-mailing us the photographs on March 15, 2011.

Below: An Orion Cecropian in the bright sunlight,
as it would more normally be, on the trunk of a tree.

Historis acheronta ______ ABC(C) CU DR JM (C:353) (DV1:21) (PW:31)
Historis acheronta acheronta ______ ABC(C)
Historis acheronta cadmus ______ JM (subspecies endemic to Jamaica)
Historis acheronta semele ______ DR (subspecies on Hispaniola & Cuba)
TAILED CECROPIAN (also called Acheronta or Cadmus or Dashwing)
(Range: the Greater Antilles, in: Cuba, Hispaniola, & Jamaica; also from Mexico to the Amazon Basin)

In Curacao, the Tailed Cecropian, or Cadmus is rare.

Subfamily NYMPHALINAE, Tribe VICTORININI

Genus SIPROETA: Butterflies in South & Central America, and as far north as the southern US.

Siproeta stelenes (or Metamorpha stelenes) (ph) ______ CY(*) DM DR(*) JM(*) PR(*) SL SV (DV1:28) (F:202) (K:209) (PE:26)(PW:30) (species described by Linnaeus in 1758)
Siproeta stelenes biplagiata ______ CY(*) (subspecies in Central America, Cuba, Isle of Pines, and Grand Cayman; a recent colonist in Florida in the US)
Siproeta stelenes stelenes ______ DR(*) JM(*) PR(*) (subspecies in Jamaica, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, the Lesser Antilles, and in South America)
MALACHITE
(Range: throughout the West Indies; also from the southern US to the Amazon Basin)

The Malachite is a beautiful butterfly, having vivid green in large blotches and bands on a dark brown background. Usually a solitary flier, but it does congregate in numbers around rotting fruit. It is on the wing all year in the tropics.

Above & below: the Malachite
The lower photo during the FONT tour in the Dominican Republic in February 2012.
(lower photo by Marie Gardner)

Genus ANARTIA: 4 species found in the southern US to Central America, and in the West Indies. These are common butterflies of the tropics. They are swift fliers, and bear some resemblance to members of the CYNTHIA genus

Anartia amathea ______ DM SL SV (C:311) (species described by Linnaeus in 1758)
Anartia amathea amathea ______ (subspecies that has occurred on Grenada, Barbados, Antigua)
RED PEACOCK (or Red Anartia)
(Range: in the West Indies throughout the Lesser Antilles, becoming more common southwards toward South America; occurs also from Panama to Argentina, and in Trinidad & Tobago)

The Red Peacock is a red-and-black butterfly with a sprinkling of white spots on the forewing. The red of the male is deep and vivid. The female has a brownish pallor.

A Red Peacock photographed during a FONT tour
(photo by Marie Gardner)

Anartia jatrophae (ph) ______ ABC(A)(B)(C) BH CY(*) DM(*) DR(*) JM(*) PR(*) SL SV (C:309) (DV1:28) (K:209) (P:33)(PW:30) (S:107) (species described by Linnaeus in 1763)
Anartia jatrophae guantanamo ______ BH CU (subspecies in the Bahamas, Cuba, and Turks & Caicos, described in 1942)
Anartia jatrophae intermedia ______ VI (subspecies endemic to the Virgin Islands, on St. Croix, described in 1942)
Anartia jatrophae jamaicensis ______ CY(*) JM(*) (subspecies in Jamaica & the Cayman Islands)
Anartia jatrophae jatrophae ______ ABC(A)(B)(C) SV (subspecies of South America, in the Lesser Antilles as far north as St. Christopher and Barbuda)
Anartia jatrophae saturata ______ DR(*) (subspecies on Hispaniola & Great Inagua Island)
Anartia jatrophae semifusca ______ PR VI (subspecies in Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Mona Island, described in 1942)
WHITE PEACOCK
(Range: the West Indies; also from the southern US thru Central & South America)

The White Peacock is a common butterfly of open country, roadsides, beaches and wasteland, often with other species such as the Buckeye. The upperside is a light gray with six black dots. This butterfly in the Caribbean is on the wing year-round.

In Curacao, the White Peacock is unusual.

Above & below: White Peacocks
Photo below taken in Curacao
(lower photo courtesy of Michiel Koomen)
Anartia chrysopelea ______ CU (PE:24) (species endemic to Cuba including the Isle of Pines)
CUBAN PEACOCK (has been called Huebner's Peacock, or Anartia)
(Range: a resident in Cuba, the Isle of Pines, & on Swan Island; in disturbed scrubland)
Anartia lytrea ______ DR (species normally in Hispaniola; rarely strays to Cuba)
HISPANIOLAN PEACOCK (has been called Godart's Peacock, or Anartia)

Subfamily NYMPHALINAE, Tribe JUNONIINI

Genus JUNONIA: BUCKEYES, a common name from the false eyes that are prominent on the wings. This is a widespread grouping, found in all of the global regions. The precise number of species is unknown, as there is yet more classifying to be done.

Junionia coenia (ph) ______ CU (PE:23)
Junionia coenia coenia ______ CU (subspecies in Cuba & the Isle of Pines; also the eastern US)
NORTHERN BUCKEYE (has been called COMMON BUCKEYE)
(Range: Cuba and the Isle of Pines; also in the southeast US & in central California, and Mexico)

Northern Buckeye
(photo by Doris Potter)

Junonia evarete (ph) ______ ABC(C) BH CU CY(*) DM DR JM PR SL SV (DV1:28) (F:168) (K:207) (PE:23)
Junonia evarete michaelisi ______ PR (subspecies endemic to Puerto Rico)
Junonia evarete swifti ______ GD DM SL SV (subspecies on Guadeloupe and nearby Lesser Antillean islands; possibly on other islands in the Lesser Antilles, described in 2004)
Junonia evarete zonalis ______ ABC(C) CY(*) (subspecies in the Bahamas, Cuba, the Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Hispaniola, & also in south Florida, USA & possibly in Central America)
TROPICAL BUCKEYE (in the West Indies, called CARIBBEAN BUCKEYE) (Other names include: Smoky Buckeye, Florida Buckeye, West Indian Buckeye)
(Range: the West Indies; also the southern US & thru the American tropics)

The Tropical Buckeye is a common species with a fast flight, often settling on dry, open ground. The wing spots have pupils of violet.

In Curacao, the Tropical, or Caribbean Buckeye is rare.

Tropical Buckeye
(photo by Sherry Nelson)
Junonia genoveva (Caribbean segregate) (ph) ______ ABC(B)(C) BD(*) BH CY DR JM SL SV (PE:23) population in the Bahamas, Greater Antilles, Cayman Islands
Junonia genoveva neidi ______ BD(*) subspecies on Guadeloupe, and elsewhere in the Lesser Antilles, described in 2004
MANGROVE BUCKEYE
(Range: the West Indies, in Jamaica; also throughout in the Americas from the southern US to Argentina)

The Mangrove Buckeye can, at times and at some places, be practically indistinguishable from Junonia evarete.
Also the Mangrove Buckeye can be variable in its appearance, at different places.

In Curacao, the Mangrove Buckeye is common.

Above & below: Mangrove Buckeyes
Both photographed in the Dominican Republic.
(upper photo by Lisa Johnson; lower photo by Rob Van Brussel)

Genus HYPOLIMNAS: Commonly called DIADEM BUTTERFLIES, because of the row of spots around the wings which look like a necklace. Sexual dimorphism is exhibited, and females sometimes mimic DANAID butterflies. These butterflies are found in open sunny areas, villages, glades, and forest edges, and they frequent nectar feeders.

Hypolimnas misippus (ph) ______ ABC(B)(C) DM PR (DV1:28) (F:164) (species described by Linnaeus in 1764)
THE MIMIC (other names: Diadem Butterfly, Six-continent Butterfly, Danaid Butterfly)

The Mimic is one of the most widespread butterflies in the world, thanks in part to human history. It is thought to have been introduced into the West Indies in slave ships from Africa. The sexes are completely different, with the male looking like a male Hypolimnas bolina, but with white wing marks. The female has a number of forms with mimic various DANAIDS, resembling Danaus chrysippus of the Old World, with coloration similar to Danaus glippus, the Queen.

In Curacao, the Mimic is unusual.

Above & below: the Mimic
In the first photo below, a male.

Below, a female. As noted, a mimic of Danaus chrysippus, the Plain Tiger.

Subfamily NYMPHALIDAE, Tribe NYMPHALINI

Genus VANESSA: LADY BUTTERFLIES: A widespread group of strong fliers, sometimes migratory, with bright oranges and reds.

Vanessa cardui (ph) ______ ABC(C) CU CY(rare) DR PR SV (PE:23) (species described by Linnaeus in 1758)
Vanessa cardui cardui ______ CU CY(rare) DR PR SV
PAINTED LADY
(Range: nearly everywhere in the world, except in Arctic conditions. See note below.)

The Painted Lady is said to be the world's most widely distributed butterfly, but in the New World it is known as a breeding resident only in the southwestern United States.
In the Caribbean, a small population is thought to exist in the mountains of Cuba, and the butterfly has occurred as a vagrant in Cayman Islands, as well as elsewhere in the West Indies, in Florida, and in South America.

Vanessa c. cardui is a resident on various Caribbean islands, including Hispaniola.

In Curacao, the Painted Lady is rare.

Painted Lady
(photo by Howard Eskin)

Vanessa virginiensis (ph) ______ BH CU DR(*) JM PR SL (DV1:28) (K:205) (PE:23)(PW:29)
AMERICAN PAINTED LADY
(Range: the West Indies; also from southern Canada thru North America. In Central America in montane regions)

In Saint Lucia, the American Painted Lady is a vagrant.

Two photos of the American Painted Lady
The lower photo was at 8,000 feet above sea level
during the FONT Dominican Republic Tour in February 2012
Vanessa atalanta rubria (ph) ______ BH CU DR JM
RED ADMIRAL

The Red Admiral occurs in the Bahamas as a stray.

Genus HYPANARTIA: MAPWINGS
Hypanartia paulus ______ CU DR JM PR
ANTILLEAN MAPWING

Subfamily NYMPHLINAE, Tribe MELITAEINI

Genus CHLOSYNE: PATCHES
Chlosyne lacinia (ph) ______ ABC(C)
Chlosyne lacinia saundersii ______ ABC(C)
BORDERED PATCH (or Saunder's Patch)

In Curacao, the Bordered, or Saunder's Patch is rare.

Genus PHYCIODES (or ATHANASSA): CRESCENTS: North & South American butterflies which often have a speckled and variable pattern. Some species are sexually dimorphic. They live in open sunny meadows and pastures, and visit flowers regularly for nectar. A few species are migratory, but most are not.

Phyciodes frisia (or Athanassa frisia) (ph) ______ BH CU DR JM (PE:21)
Athanassa frisia frisia ______ BH CU DR JM (subspecies in the Bahamas, Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica, and extreme southern Florida)
CUBAN CRESCENT (or Cuban Checkerspot)
(Range: the West Indies; also south Florida & the Fla. Keys)

In the Dominican Republic, the Cuban Crescent has been said to be abundant on the north side of the Sierra de Baoruco, between Cabral and Polo.
Thousands of individuals have been noted there, where is can be the dominant small butterfly, occurring in gardens, along grassy and weedy roadsides, and at edges of cafetales. Their flight is weak, low to the ground.

Above & below: Cuban Crescents
(The photo below courtesy of Shelley Hall,
this is one of a series of photos sent to us by students
at the Pimento Hall International School, in Runaway Bay, Jamaica)
Phyciodes phaon (ph) ______ CY(*) (PE:21)
PHAON CRESCENT (including the "Cayman Crescent Spot")
(Range: Cuba and the Cayman Islands; also in the southern US and south into Central America as far as Guatemala)

Phaon Crescent
(photo by Marie Gardner)

Genus ANTILLEA (or PHYCIODES) This genus restricted to the West Indies, but some have placed it in PHYCIODES as a subgenus.
Antillea pelops ______ CU DR JM PR
Antillea pelops anacaona ______ (subspecies endemic to Cuba)
Antillea pelops pelops ______ DR PR (subspecies on Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, Montserrat, & St, Christopher)
Antillea pelops pygmaea ______ (subspecies endemic to Jamaica)
ANTILLEAN CRESCENT

The 3 subspecies of Antillea pelops differ primarily in size, with the Jamaican subspecies the smallest.
Antillea proclea ______ JM (species endemic to Jamaica)
JAMAICAN CRESCENT

Genus ATLANTEA: CHECKERSPOTS
Atlantea cryptadia ______ DR (species endemic to Hispaniola, described in 1980)
HISPANIOLAN CHECKERSPOT

A specimen of Atlantea cryptadia was taken in Haiti in 1979.
Atlantea pantoni ______ JM (species endemic to Jamaica)
JAMAICAN CHECKERSPOT
Atlantea perezi ______ CU (species endemic to northeast Cuba)
CUBAN CHECKERSPOT
Atlantea tulita (ph) ______ PR (species endemic to Puerto Rico)
PUERTO RICAN CHECKERSPOT (another name is Puerto Rican Harlequin)

Above & below: the Puerto Rican Checkerspot, or Puerto Rican Harlequin
(photos by Sherry Nelson)

Subfamily HELICONIINAE: LONGWINGS
Mostly in the American tropics. Adults of some species are long-lived, and several are distasteful. Various other species mimic the distasteful butterflies of this group.

Genera DIONE & AGRAULIS: 4 species (depending upon taxonomy) in Central & South America, with one reaching into the southern US. Typically, they have orange uppers with stunning silver marks on the undersides of the wings. They breed on many species of passion flower, Passiflora. They exploit secondary vegetation, and their numbers increase dramatically in areas where there has been rainforest destruction.

Dione juno juno ______ SL SV (DV1:31) (S:161)
SILVERSPOT (or Scarce Silver-spotted Flambeau)
(Range: the Lesser Antilles from Martinique southwards; also thru Central & South America)

The Silverspot, Dryas juno, is closely related to the more common Dryas iulia. The bright silver spots which give the butterfly its common name are on the underside. Often occurs in the same places as the very similar Gulf Fritillary. It is said to be attracted to red and blue flowers.

Agraulis vanillae (or Dione vanillae) (ph) ______ ABC(A)(B)(C) BD BH CU CY(*) DR(*) JM(*) PR SL SV (C:269) (DV1:31) (F:144) (K:157) (PE:19)(PW:23) (S:160)
Agraulis vanillae insularis ______ CY(*) DR(*) JM(*) PR (subspecies in the northern West Indies, from the Bahamas south to Dominica; including the Cayman Islands)
Agrualis vanillae vanillae _____ ABC(A)(B)(C) SV (subspecies from Saint Lucia, perhaps Martinique, south into South America as far south as Argentina)
GULF FRITILLARY (another common name, Silver-spotted Flambeau)
(Range: the West Indies; also from the southern US thru American tropics to South America)

The Gulf Fritillary, or Silver-spotted Flambeau, is a widespread, familiar butterfly that visits gardens to drink nectar. It is a sun-loving butterfly. common along the coasts of Caribbean islands.
The upperside is fiery orange. It is distinguished from the Julia, or Flambeau, by the presence of numerous black dots on the forewing. It is silver-spotted on the underside.

In Curacao, the Gulf Fritillary is abundant.

Above & below: the Gulf Fritillary, the upperside and underside
The lower photo shows why the butterfly is also called the Silver-spotted Flambeau.
(photo above by Howard Eskin; photo below by Sherry Nelson)

Genus DRYAS: A single migratory species represents this mostly Central & South American genus.

Dryas iulia (ph) ______ ABC(B)(C) BD BH CU CY(*) DM DR(*) GD JM(*) PR(*) SL SV (C:301) (DV1:31) (F:145) (K:157) (PE:19)(PW:23) (S:159)
Dryas iulia alicionea ______ ABC(B)(C)
Dryas iulia carteri ______ BH (subspecies endemic to the northern Bahamas)
Dryas iulia delila ______ JM(*) (subspecies endemic to Jamaica)
Dryas iulia dominicana ______ DM GD (subspecies on Guadeloupe & Dominica)
Dryas iulia framptoni ______ SV (subspecies on Saint Vincent, Grenada, & possibly Barbados)
Dryas iulia fucatus (or hispaniola) ______ DR(*) (subspecies endemic to Hispaniola)
Dryas iulia iulia ______ PR(*) (subspecies on Puerto Rico & in the Virgin Islands; also Mona Is. & Tortola)
Dryas iulia lucia ______ SL (subspecies endemic to Saint Lucia)
Dryas iulia martinica ______ (subspecies endemic to Martinique, described in 1969)
Dryas iulia nudeola ______ CU (subspecies endemic to Cuba)
Dryas iulia warneri ______ (subspecies on St. Kitts, Montserrat, Saba)
Dryas iulia zoe ______ CY(*) (subspecies endemic to the Cayman Islands, described in 1992)
JULIA HELICONIAN (or Julia) (in the Caribbean called THE FLAMBEAU)
(Range: the West Indies; also from the southern US thru American tropics to Brazil)

The uppersides of the elongated wings of the Julia Heliconian, or Flambeau, are orange, unmarked but for a conspicuous black blob or band in the cell area of the forewing. The undersides are a very pale brown with small white flashes. Different races include variation of the black band and other black markings on the upperside of the forewing.
This butterfly visits open sunny and flowery areas (often wet ground), and breeds on the passion flower.

No fewer than 10 subspecies of Dryas julia have been described in the Caribbean, with each endemic to a different island or island group.

In Curacao, the Julia is common.

Above & below: the Julia, or Flambeau
The lower photo during the FONT Dominican Republic Tour in February 2012

Genus EUEIDES

Eueides isabella (ph) ______ CU DR PR (DV1:31) (K:155) (PE:20)(PW:23) (S:159)
Eueides isabella cleobaea ______ CU (subspecies endemic to Cuba)
Eueides isabella melphis ______ DR PR (subspecies on Hispaniola & Puerto Rico)
ISABELLA'S HELICONIAN (or Isabella, or Isabella Tiger)
(Range: the West Indies; also from Mexico to the Amazon Basin)

Isabella's Heliconian

Genus HELICONIUS: LONGWINGS: Found principally in Central & South America, reaching into the southern US. There are 15 species in Central America. The larvae feed on members of the passion flower family, Passifloraceae. The adults (the butterflies) are gregarious and have communal roosting spots. Adults feed on pollen, from which they derive amino acids, enabling them to live up to nine months. The butterflies stay very much in the same localities. They are very noticeable and found in all types of habitats.

Heliconius charithonia (ph) ______ CU CY(*) DR(*) JM(*) PR(*) (C:303) (DV1:32) (F:160) (K:155) (PE:19 & PEp:234)(PW:23) (S:160) (species described by Linnaeus in 1767)
Heliconius charithonia antiquus ______ (subspecies on Antigua & St. Kitts; occasionally on other nearby islands, described in 1988)
Heliconius charithonia charithonia ______ PR(*) VI (subspecies on Puerto Rico & in the Virgin Islands; also Mona Island, and some of the Leeward Islands to Montserrat)
Heliconius charithonia churchi ______ DR(*) (subspecies endemic to Hispaniola, described in 1950)
Heliconius charithonia ramsdemi ______ BH CU CY(*) (subspecies in Cuba, probably the Cayman Islands, and in the Bahamas on Andros and possibly New Providence, described in 1950)
Heliconius charithonia simulator ______ JM(*) (subspecies endemic to Jamaica; maybe the Cayman Islands)
Heliconius charithonia tuckeri ______ BH (subspecies in the Bahamas, on Grand Bahama & Great Abaco, described in 1950)
ZEBRA HELICONIAN (or Zebra) (also called Zebra Longwing)
(Range: the West Indies, in: Cuba, Jamaica, the Caymans, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, and the Leeward Islands south to Montserrat, and on Andros Island in the Bahamas; also from the southern US thru Central & South America)

The Zebra Heliconian is a graceful butterfly and a common sight in gardens and at roadside flowers. Roosts in small to large clusters, with the adults returning to the same roost night after night. It is very familiar to visitors of butterfly houses as it is easy to rear.

The Zebra Heliconian is one of the most abundant and widely distributed butterflies on Hispaniola.

A Zebra Heliconian photographed during the FONT tour
in the Dominican Republic in February 2012
(photo by Marie Gardner)
Heliconius erato ______ ABC(B)(C)
Heliconius erato hydara ______ ABC(B)(C)
CRIMSON-PATCHED LONGWING (or Erato Heliconian)

In Curacao, the Crimson-patched Longwing is rare.

Subfamily HELICONIINAE, Tribe ARGYNNINI

Genus EUPTOIETA

Euptoieta claudia (ph) ______ BH CU DR JM (DV1:32) (K:157) (PE:3 & 20 & PEp:235)(PW:23)
VARIEGATED FRITILLARY
(Range: the West Indies, in the highlands of Cuba and Jamaica; also Canada thru Central & South America)

Variegated Fritillary
(photo by Howard Eskin)

Euptoieta hegesia (ph) ______ BH CU CY DR JM PR (DV1:32) (K:157) (P:29)(PW:23)
Euptoieta hegesia hegesia ______ CY DR JM (subspecies in the Bahamas, Hispaniola, Jamaica, Cuba, and the Cayman Islands)
Euptoieta hegesia watsoni ______ PR (subspecies on Puerto Rico, and probably also on Hispaniola)
MEXICAN FRITILLARY
(Range: the West Indies; also from the southern US thru Central America)

Mexican Fritillary

Subfamily ITHOMIIDAE: CLEARWINGS

An almost exclusively South American group, but 2 species fly in the Greater Antilles of the West Indies.

Genus GRETA
Greta diaphana ______ DR JM
Greta diaphana calimete ______ DR (subspecies endemic to Hispaniola)
Greta diaphana charadra ______ DR (subspecies endemic to Hispaniola)
Greta diaphana diaphana ______ JM (subspecies endemic to Jamaica)
Greta diaphana galii ______ DR (subspecies endemic to Hispaniola)
Greta diaphana quisqueya ______ DR (subspecies endemic to Hispaniola)
ANTILLEAN CLEARWING
Greta cubana ______ CU (species endemic to Cuba)
CUBAN CLEARWING
(Range: restricted to 3 mountainous areas in Cuba)

Greta cubana is a butterfly of dark mountain woods. The adult butterflies are particularly interesting in that males gather together in a lek, and females are attracted to that lek by pheromones produce by the males from chemicals obtained from plants in the family Boraginaceae.

Once, in July 2005, a Cuban Clearwing was seen on Grand Cayman. During that month, there had been 5 tropical storms in the area, including Hurricane Dennis that made landfall in southern and western Cuba. Anticlockwise wind circulation could have brought the normally Cuban endemic butterfly to Grand Cayman.
Mechanitis polymnia ______ ABC(C)
Mechanitis polymnia doryssus ______ ABC(C)
ORANGE-SPOTTED TIGER CLEARWING (or Disturbed Tigerwing)

In Curacao, the Orange-spotted Tiger Clearwing is rare.

Subfamily DANAIDAE: MILKWEED BUTTERFLIES
Predominantly a tropical and subtropical group, referred to as TIGERS, in reference to their striking orange coloration with strong black strips. This pattern is an advertisement of a noxious element consisting of heart poisons (cardiac glycosides) accumulated from the food plants, milkweeds (asclepiadaceae & apocynaceae) by the larvae and stored by the adults.

Genus LYCOREA: a group of HELICONID MIMICS which have long wings, long bodies, and share similar patterns.

Lycorea halia (formerly cleobaea) (ph) ______ CU DM DR(*) JM PR SL SV (DV1:33) (F:176) (K:155) (PE:27) (S:187)
Lycorea halia cleobaea ______ DR PR (subspecies on Hispaniola & Puerto Rico)
Lycorea halia demeter ______ CU (subspecies endemic to Cuba)
Lycorea halia cleobaea ______ DR PR (subspecies on Hispaniola & Puerto Rico)
Lycorea halia demeter ______ CU (subspecies endemic to Cuba)
TIGER MIMIC-QUEEN (or Large Tiger)
(Range: in the West Indies, in: Cuba, Hispaniola, & Puerto Rico; also Mexico to Peru. Common in the Greater Antilles; rare in the Lesser Antilles, occurring in wood and scrub habitats.)

The Tiger Mimic-Queen resembles Heliconius ethilla, but it is larger than the true heliconids. The male has a tuft of extrusible "hair-pencils" at the tip of the abdomen.

A Tiger Mimic-Queen photographed during the FONT Dominican Republic Tour in April 2012
(photo by Marie Gardner)

Genus DANAUS: ROYALTY: Known also as TIGER BUTTERFLIES. There are representatives in all geographical regions of the world. More species occur in the Old World, but one of the best known butterflies of the New World is D. plexippus, the Monarch. Larvae of this genus feed on members of the milkweed and dogbane families, and render themselves poisonous to predators by storing plant poisons. There are many other butterflies that mimic the toxic members of this genus.

Danaus plexippus (ph) ______ ABC(A)(B)(C) BH CU DM DR(*) JM PR SL SV (PE:27) (species described by Linnaeus in 1758)
Danaus plexippus leucogyne ______ SV (subspecies in the Virgin Islands and the Lesser Antilles; possibly a form of D. p. megalippe)
Danaus plexippus megalippe ______ ABC(A)(B)(C) CY DR(*) (a non-migratory Caribbean subspecies)
Danaus plexippus plexippus ______ CY PR (the migratory subspecies of North America)
Danaus plexippus portoricensis ______ PR (subspecies in Puerto Rico; possibly a form of D. p. megalippe)
MONARCH
(Range: the West Indies; also in North & Central America, and in most tropical American lowlands)

A number of islands in the West Indies now have distinctive local populations of the Monarch that have most often been treated by various authors as races or subspecies. Caribbean Monarchs are resident & do not migrate.

In Curacao, where the Monarch does not migrate, it is abundant.

Above: a Monarch butterfly
(photo by Howard Eskin)

Danaus plexippus transforming into butterflies
(photographed in the Dominican Republic by Rob van Brussel)

Danaus eresimus (ph) ______ ABC(C) CU CY(*) DR(*) JM PR SL SV (C:283) (DV1:33) (F:142) (K:229) (PE:27)
Danaus eresimus tethys ______ CY DR PR (subspecies in Cuba, the Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, Grenada, and recently having colonized in the southern US, described in 1943)
Danaus eresimus eresimus ______ ABC(C) (the nominate subspecies, in South America; occurs at times in Barbados & Grenada)
SOLDIER
(Range: in the Antilles; also from the southern US to the Amazon Basin)

The Soldier breeds on members of the poisonous Asclepiadaceae. The ground color is dusky brown with a pronounced black margin around the wings, broader on the hindwing. The veins are black and there is considerable white speckling on the black areas.
The Soldier is very similar to the Queen, but has a series of very faint spots, only slightly paler than the ground color, on the underside of the hindwings.)

In Curacao, the Soldier is uncommon.

A Soldier photographed during the FONT Dominican Republic Tour in April 2012
(photo by Marie Gardner)
Danaus gilippus (ph) ______ BH CU CY DM DR JM PR SL SV
Danaus gilippus berenice ______ CU CY (subspecies in Florida, the Bahamas, Cuba, and the Cayman Islands)
Danaus gilippus cleoyhera ______ DR PR (subspecies principally on Hispaniola; also on Mona Is. & rarely in Puerto Rico; with the front half of the forewing darker than elsewhere on the upper surface)
Danaus gilippus jamaicensis ______ JM (subspecies endemic to Jamaica, paler)
Danaus gilippus xanthippus ______ SV (subspecies in the southern Lesser Antilles)
QUEEN
(Range: the West Indies; rare in the Lesser Antilles. Also in the extreme southern US and through American tropical lowlands)

On Saint Vincent, the Queen is a vagrant.

A Queen
(photo by Howard Eskin)
Danaus cleophile (ph) ______ DR JM
CARIBBEAN QUEEN (another name has been Jamaican Monarch, but that name unfortunate; as it is rather rare on Jamaica)
(Range: Jamaica & Hispaniola)

Above & below: the Caribbean Queen
The photo above taken in the Sierra de Bahoruco
in the Dominican Republic

Genus ANETIA: 4 species of large and strikingly-colored butterflies, 3 of which are confined to the West Indies. The other species, A. thirza, is confined to Central America.
Anetia briarea (nt) (ph) ______ CU DR
Anetia briarea briarea ______ DR (subspecies endemic to Hispaniola)
Anetia briarea numidia ______ CU (subspecies endemic to Cuba)
MANY-SPOTTED KING (another name has been Lesser False Fritillary)

Many-spotted King
(photo by Burke Korol)
Anetia pantherata ______ CU DR
Anetia pantherata clarescens ______ CU (subspecies endemic to Cuba)
Anetia pantherata pantherata ______ DR (subspecies endemic to Hispaniola)
GREAT KING
Anetia jaegeri (nt) (ph) ______ DR(*) JM (said in "The Butterflies of Hispaniola"", by A. Schwartz, 1989, to be endemic to Hispaniola, but more-recent sources indicate that it also occurs in Jamaica)
HISPANIOLAN KING (another name has been Jaeger's Anetia)

A Hispaniolan King photographed during a FONT tour
in the Dominican Republic in February 2012
(photo by Marie Gardner)
Anetia cubana ______ CU (species endemic to eastern Cuba)
CUBAN KING

Family SATYRIDAE: RINGLETS

SATYRIDAE Is often considered a subfamily of NYMPHALIDAE. It is well represented in tropical regions.

In the West Indies, the only genus in SATYRIDAE is CALISTO.

Genus CALISTO: Typical of SATYRIDAE, mainly brown butterflies with small eye-spots. Their larvae feed on grasses.

CALISTO is remarkable for its radiation into 40 distinct species. This is centered on the Greater Antillean island of Hispaniola where no fewer than 35 species have evolved. A number of those species are locally distributed.
Outside Hispaniola, 2 other CALISTO species are found in Cuba and the Bahamas, and there are one each in Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and Anegada in the British Virgin Islands.

Butterflies in the CALISTO genus feed on grasses and fly weakly low over the ground.
Calisto herophile ______ BH CU
Calisto herophile apollinis ______ BH (subspecies in the Bahamas)
Calisto herophile bruneri ______ CU (subspecies in far-eastern Cuba, described in 1949)
Calisto herophile herophile ______ CU (subspecies in much of Cuba & the Isle of Pine, in lowlands)
Calisto herophile parsonsi ______ CU (subspecies in Cuba, in the Sierra de Escambray, from 500 to 1,000 meters above sea level, described in 1943)
CUBAN CALISTO
(Range: very common in Cuba & the Isle of Pines, and with a separate subspecies in the Bahamas.)

Calisto herophile is a relatively weak-flying, small and sedentary butterfly, as are all the others in the genus.
Calisto zangis ______ JM (species endemic to Jamaica)
JAMAICAN CALISTO (or Jamaican Satyr)
Calisto pulchella ______ DR(*) (species endemic to Hispaniola)
Calisto pulchella pulchella ______ DR(*) (subspecies widespread in Hispaniola)
Calisto pulchella darlingtoni ______ DR(*) (subspecies in the montane region of Cordillera Central)
SUGAR-CANE CALISTO
Calisto nubila (ph) ______ PR (species endemic to Puerto Rico)
PUERTO RICAN CALISTO

Puerto Rican Calisto
(photo by Sherry C. Nelson)
Calisto anagadensis ______ VI (species endemic to Anegada in the British Virgin Islands)
ANEGADA CALISTO
Calisto archebates ______ DR(*) (species endemic to Hispaniola)
YELLOW-BANDED CALISTO
(in Haiti & in the Dominican Republic in the western montane Sierra de Baoruco)
Calisto chrysaoros ______ DR(*) (species endemic to Hispaniola)
WHITE-BANDED CALISTO
(in Haiti & in the Dominican Republic in the montane Sierra de Baoruco)
Calisto galii ______ DR (species endemic to Hispaniola)
Calisto galli galii ______ DR (subspecies in the montane Cordillera Central, described in 1983)
Calisto galii choneupsilon ______ DR (subspecies in the montane Sierra de Neiba, described in 1985)
GALI'S CALSITO
Calisto wetherbeei ______ DR (species endemic to Hispaniola, described in 1988)
WETHERBEE'S CALISTO
(in the montane Cordillera Central)
Calisto loxias ______ DR (species endemic to Hispaniola)
DARK CALISTO
(in the southwest Dominican Republic, near Las Abejas)
Calisto arcas ______ DR (species endemic to Hispaniola)
TAWNY-WASHED CALISTO
(in the Cordillera Central on the Pico Duarte massif)
Calisto confusa ______ DR(*) (species endemic to Hispaniola)
CONFUSED CALISTO
(widespread in the Dominican Republic)
Calisto gonzalezi ______ DR (species endemic to Hispaniola)
GONZALEZ'S CALSITO
(in the Sierra de Yamasa, north of Santo Domingo)
Calisto obscura (ph) ______ DR(*) (species endemic to Hispaniola, described in 1943)
OBSCURE CALISTO
(widespread in the Dominican Republic)

The Obscure Calisto, seen & photographed in a forest near Barahona in the Dominican Republic,
during the FONT tour in April 2012
(photo by Marie Gardner)
Calisto lyceius ______ DR (species endemic to Hispaniola)
SAONA CALISTO
(on the offshore islands of Saona & Catalina)
Calisto crypta ______ DR (species endemic to Hispaniola, described in 1985)
CRYPTIC CALISTO
(in the vicinity of Monte Cristi)
Calisto franciscoi ______ DR(*) (species endemic to Hispaniola, described in 1985)
FRANCISCO'S CALISTO
(in the Valle de Neiba & the Barahona Peninsula to Azua)
Calisto hendersoni ______ DR (species endemic to Hispaniola, described in 1985)
HENDERSON'S CALISTO
(near El Limon, in independencia)
Calisto schwartzi ______ DR (species endemic to Hispaniola)
SCHWARTZ'S CALISTO
(in the southwest Dominican Republic, near Aceitillar, Pedernales, & the Sierra de Baoruco)
Calisto rabumi ______ DR (species endemic to Hispaniola)
RABUM'S CALISTO
(northeast of el Aguacate, Independencia)
Calisto tasajera ______ DR (species endemic to Hispaniola)
TASAJERA CALISTO
(in the Cordillera Central)
Calisto tragius ______ DR (species endemic to Hispaniola)
TRAGIC CALISTO
(in the Dominican Republic, in the western Sierra de Baoruco)
Calisto clydoniata ______ DR (species endemic to Hispaniola)
YELLOW-STAINED CALISTO
(in the Sierra de Neiba)
Calisto clenchi ______ DR (species endemic to Hispaniola)
CLENCH'S CALISTO
(in the Dominican Republic near the Massif de la Selle)
Calisto batesi ______ DR (species endemic to Hispaniola)
BATES' CALISTO
(rather widespread in the Dominican Republic)
Calisto hysius (ph) ______ DR(*) (species endemic to Hispaniola)
GODART'S CALISTO
(in the Dominican Republic, in the southwest including the Barahona peninsula & west)

A Godart's Calisto during the FONT tour
in the Dominican Republic in April 2012
(photo by Marie Gardner)
Calisto aleucosticha ______ DR (species endemic to Hispaniola)
CORREA'S CALISTO
(in the northern Cordillera Central)
Calisto neiba ______ DR (species endemic to Hispaniola)
NEIBA CALISTO
(in the Sierra de Neiba)
Calisto eleleus ______ DR (species endemic to Hispaniola)
ELELEUS CALISTO
(most common in the Sierra de Baoruco)
Calisto grannus ______ DR (species endemic to Hispaniola)
Calisto g. grannus ______ DR (subspecies in the Cordillera Central, between 1150 & 2300 meters)
Calisto grannus dilemma ______ DR (subspecies in the areas of Constanza & La Vega)
GRANNUS CALISTO
Calisto phoinix ______ DR (species endemic to Hispaniola)
PHOINIX CALISTO
(at La Palma, in the eastern Cordillera Central, La Vega)
Calisto amazona ______ DR (species endemic to Hispaniola)
AMAZONA CALISTO
(in the vicinity of Pico Duarte, in the Cordillera Central, from 1200 to 1900 meters)
Calisto dystacta ______ DR (species endemic to Hispaniola)
LEONOR CALISTO
(at Loma Leonor, Santiago Rodriguez)
Calisto micrommata ______ DR (species endemic to Hispaniola)
MICROMMATA CALISTO
(in the southern Sierra de Neiba, between 1600 & 1900 meters)
Calisto sommeri ______ DR (species endemic to Hispaniola)
SOMMER'S CALISTO
(in the Dominican Republic, in the western Sierra de Baoruco)
Calisto micheneri ______ DR (species endemic to Hispaniola)
MICHENER'S CALISTO
(in the Cordillera Central)
Calisto ainigma ______ DR (species endemic to Hispaniola)
ENIGMATIC CALISTO
(in the Cordillera Central)
Calisto neochma ______ DR (species endemic to Hispaniola)
EL RUBIO CALISTO
(at Monte El Rubio, Santiago)

Family HESPERIIDAE: SKIPPERS
A very large family (more than 3,500 species throughout the world) of stout-bodied short-winged butterflies that resemble day-flying moths. The adult butterfly's flight resembles a 'skipping' motion when going from flower to flower. Their forewings are closed above their back when they are settled.

Subfamily EUDAMINAE

Genus PHOCIDES

Phocides pigmalion ______ BH CU CY(*) DR PR (K:267) (PE:30)
Phocides pigmalion batabano ______ BH CU CY(*) (subspecies in Cuba & the Isle of Pines, Andros Is., and Little Cayman Island)
Phocides pigmalion batabanoides ______ BH (subspecies on most Bahamian islands)
Phocides pigmalion bicolora ______ DR PR (subspecies on Hispaniola & Puerto Rico)
MANGROVE SKIPPER
(Range: in the West Indies in the Bahamas, Cuba & the Isle of Pines, Little Cayman Island, Hispaniola, and formerly Puerto Rico; also Florida & from Mexico to Argentina)

The subspecies batabano and bicolora appear strikingly different. Batabano resembles the forms in Florida and the Bahamas.

In the Cayman Islands, Phocide pigmalion has only been found on Little Cayman.

In Puerto Rico, Phocides pigmalion is now probably extinct.
Phocides lincea perkinsi ______ JM (subspecies endemic to Jamaica)
PERKIN'S SKIPPER

Genus PROTEIDES

Proteides mercurius (ph) ______ DM DR PR SL SV (K:273) (PE:30)
Proteides mercurius angasi ______ DM SL (subspecies on Dominica & Saint Lucia; also Tobago)
Proteides mercurius grenadensis ______ (subspecies on Grenada, described in 1969)
Proteides mercurius jamaicensis ______ JM (subspecies endemic to Jamaica)
Proteides mercurius pedro ______ PR (subspecies endemic to Puerto Rico)
Proteides mercurius sanchesi ______ DR (subspecies endemic to Hispaniola)
Proteides mercurius vincenti ______ SV (subspecies endemic to Saint Vincent, described in 1948)
MERCURIAL SKIPPER
(Range: the West Indies; also Mexico to Argentina. Strays north to southern US.)

Mercurial Skipper
(photo by Sherry Nelson)
Proteides maysi ______ CU (subspecies on Cuba & the Isle of Pines)
MAYS' SKIPPER

Genus EPARGYREUS: Silver-spotted Skippers
Epargyreus zestos ______ BH DM PR SV VI (PE:30)
Epargyreus zestos inaguarum ______ (subspecies on Great Inagua, Crooked Is., and the Turks & Caicos Islands) (subspecies described in 1980)
Epargyreus zestos zestos ______ (subspecies in the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, and from the Virgin Islands to Saint Vincent)
ZESTOS SKIPPER
(Range: the West Indies; also South Florida & the Fla. Keys)
Epargyreus spanna ______ DR (species endemic to Hispaniola, described in 1952)
HISPANIOLAN SILVERDROP

On Hispaniola, Epargyreus spanna inhabits dense deciduous forest.
Epargyreus antaeus ______ JM (species endemic to Jamaica)
JAMAICAN SILVERDROP

Genus POLYGONUS

Polygonus leo ______ DM DR PR (K:267) (PE:30)
Polygonus leo hagar ______ JM (subspecies endemic to Jamaica)
Polygonus leo histrio ______ BH CU (subspecies on Cuba & some Bahamian islands; also Florida, US)
Polygonus leo leo (or lividus, or ishmaei) ______ DM DR PR (subspecies on Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, and south to Saint Lucia)
HAMMOCK SKIPPER
(Range: the West Indies; also Florida & from Mexico to Argentina)

Polygonus savigny (or P. manueli) ______ DM SV (PE:text)
Polygonus savigny punctus ______ DM SV (subspecies in the Lesser Antilles from St. Martin south to the Grenadines)
MANUEL'S SKIPPER
(Range: the West Indies; also from Mexico to Argentina)

Genus POLYTHRIX
Polythrix octomaculatus ______ ABC(C)
Polythrix octomaculatus decussata

In Curacao, Polythrix octomaculatus decussata is rare.

Genus CHIOIDES

Chioides albofasciatus (formerly C. catillus) ______ ABC(B)(C) (C:377) (K:271) (P:39) (This species has been said to occur in the West Indies, but further taxonomic study has shown that populations in the Caribbean are very similar species.)
WHITE-STRIPED LONGTAIL
(Range: in the West Indies in Jamaica, and in the ABC islands; also from south Texas to Argentina)

In Curacao, the White-striped Longtail is rare.

Now, with taxonomic revision, Choides catillus is the Blurry-striped Longtail of Costa Rica & Panama.
Chiodes churchi ______ JM (species endemic to Jamaica, described in 1948) (this species was once thought to be a subspecies of the White-striped Longtail)
JAMAICAN LONGTAIL
Chiodes ixion ______ DR (species endemic to Hispaniola)
HISPANIOLAN LONGTAIL

In Hispaniola, Chiodes ixion is primarily an inhabitant of mesic broadleaf forest at elevations from near sea level to about 1675 meters.
Chiodes marmorosa ______ CU (species endemic to Cuba)
CUBAN LONGTAIL
Chiodes vintra ______ SV (species on St. Vincent, the Grenadines, and Grenada)
SAINT VINCENT LONGTAIL

Genus AGUNA

Aguna asander ______ CU DR JM (K:273) (PE:30)
Aguna asander haitensis ______ CU DR (subspecies on Cuba & Hispaniola)
Aguna asander jasper ______ JM (subspecies endemic to Jamaica)
GOLD-SPOTTED AGUNA
(Range: the West Indies; also from Mexico to Argentina)
Aguna claxon ______ CU (species in Cuba; also from south Texas, US to Surinam)
EMERALD AGUNA

Genus URBANUS: LONG-TAILED SKIPPERS

Urbanus proteus domingo (ph) ______ BD BH CU CY(*) DM DR(*) JM(*) PR SL SV (K:269) (PE:30) (S:36)
(subspecies throughout the West Indies, including the Bahamas)
COMMON LONG-TAILED SKIPPER
(Range: throughout the West Indies; also Florida & south Texas to Argentina)

Urbanus proteus is common throughout the West Indies. It has the basic brown coloration of the family with irridescent green hair scales on the body and base of the hindwing.

In the Cayman Islands, Urbanus proteus has been observed on Grand Cayman & Cayman Brac.

Long-tailed Skipper
(photo by Rise Hill)

Urbanus dorantes (ph) ______ ABC(A)(B)(C) BH CU CY DR PR (K:269) (PE:30)
Urbanus dorantes dorantes ______ ABC(A)(B)(C)
Urbanus dorantes santiago ______ BH CU CY (subspecies in the Bahamas, Cuba & the Isle of Pines, and infrequently on Grand Cayman Is.)
Urbanus dorantes cramptoni ______ DR PR VI (subspecies on Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, Mona Is., & in the Virgin Islands; possible on Grand Cayman Is. - see note below)
DORANTES LONGTAIL (or Skipper) (other names are Brown-tailed Skipper and Lilac-banded Longtail)
(Range: in the West Indies in the Bahamas, Cuba, Grand Cayman, Hispaniola, Mona Island, Puerto Rico, and east into the Virgin Islands; also Florida & from south Texas to Argentina)

The Dorantes Longtail (or Skipper) was only recently discovered in the Cayman Islands in November 1985 (prior to being depicted in a set of Cayman stamps issued in 1994). In 1985, the subspecies there was said to U. d. cramptoni, but others found on Grand Cayman since have been ascribed to U. d. santiago.

In Curacao, the Dorantes, or Lilac-banded Longtail is abundant.

.

In the above photo, on the right side, a Dorantes Longtail
in the Dominican Republic, Urbanes dorantes cramptoni
(photo by Burke Korol)
Urbanus obscurus ______ DM SV (species in the Lesser Antilles from St, Martin south to the Grenadines, Barbados)
DARK LONGTAIL (was called Stub-tailed Skipper)

Genus ASTRAPTES: FLASHERS

Astraptes alardus ______ (K:279) (PE:text) (This species has been said to occur in the West Indies, but further taxonomic study has shown that populations in the Caribbean are actually very similar species.)
FROSTED (or WHITE) FLASHER
(Range: has been said to be the West Indies including Cuba; also Mexico to Argentina, & rarely north to southern Texas)
Astraptes talus ______ CU DR JM PR
GREEN FLASHER
(Range: the Greater Antilles; also from Mexico to Argentina)
Astraptes anaphus ______ DR JM PR SV (PE:text)
Astraptes anaphus anausis ______ DR JM PR SV (subspecies in the Greater Antilles, the Virgin Islands, & Montserrat to Grenada)
"CARIBBEAN" YELLOW-TIPPED FLASHER (another name for the species is Roy's Skipper)
(Range: the West Indies; also from Mexico to Argentina)
Astraptes xagua ______ BH CU DR
Astraptes xagua xagua ______ BH CU (subspecies on Cuba & Andros Island)
Astraptes xagua christyi ______ DR (subspecies endemic to Hispaniola)
ANTILLEAN FLASHER
Astraptes habana ______ CU DR
Astraptes habana ______ CU (subspecies endemic to Cuba)
Astraptes habana heriul ______ DR (subspecies endemic to Hispaniola)
FROSTY FLASHER
Astraptes jaira (ph) ______ JM (species endemic to Jamaica)
JAMAICAN FLASHER

Jamaican Flasher
(photo courtesy of Shelley Hall,
this is one of a series of photos sent to us by students
at the Pimento Hall International School, in Runaway Bay, Jamaica)
Astraptes cassander ______ CU (species endemic to Cuba including the Isle of Pines)
CUBAN FLASHER

Subfamily PYRGINAE: OPEN-WINGED SKIPPERS

Genus BURCA
Burca stillmani ______ DR (species endemic to Hispaniola, described in 1948)
STILLMAN'S SKIPPER
Burca hispaniolae ______ DR (species endemic to Hispaniola, described in 1948)
HISPANIOLAN SKIPPER
Burca concolor ______ BH CU
Burca concolor atrata ______ BH (subspecies endemic to the Bahamas, described in 1955)
Burca concolor concolor ______ CU (subspecies endemic to Cuba)
CONCOLOROUS SKIPPER
Burca braco ______ BH CU
Burca braco braco ______ CU (subspecies endemic to Cuba)
Burca braco castigata ______ BH (subspecies endemic to the Bahamas)
BRACO SKIPPER
Burca cubensis ______ CU (species endemic to Cuba)
CUBAN SKIPPER

Genus CABARES

Cabares potrillo potrillo (ph) ______ CU DR JM (K:277) (PE:31)
POTRILLO SKIPPER
(Range: the West Indies; also from south Texas to Colombia)

Potrillo Skipper
(photo courtesy of Shelley Hall,
this is one of a series of photos sent to us by students
at the Pimento Hall International School, in Runaway Bay, Jamaica)

Genus GRAIS
Grais stigmaticus juncta ______ JM (subspecies endemic to Jamaica; another subspecies from Texas, US to Argentina)
"JAMAICAN" HERMIT SKIPPER

Genus ACHLYODES (or EANTIS): SICKLE-WINGED SKIPPERS
Achlyodes tamenund (or Eantis tamenund) ______ (PE:31) (This species has been said to occur in the West Indies, but further taxonomy has shown that populations in the Caribbean are actually very similar species.)
SICKLE-WINGED SKIPPER
(Range: has been said to the West Indies; also from south Texas to Argentina)
Achlyodes papinianus (or Eantis papinianus) (saga) ______ CU DR (species on Cuba & Hispaniola)
CUBAN SICKLEWING
Achlyodes mithridates (or Eantis mithridates) (ph) ______ JM (species endemic to Jamaica)
JAMAICAN SICKLEWING

Jamaican Sicklewing
(photo courtesy of Shelley Hall,
this is one of a series of photos sent to us by students
at the Pimento Hall International School, in Runaway Bay, Jamaica)
Achlyodes minor (or Eantis minor) ______ DM PR (species from Puerto Rico to Dominica & Guadeloupe)
LESSER SICKLEWING

Achlyodes minor has been Achlyodes, or Eantis thraso.
Achlyodes munroei (or Eantis munroei) ______ BH CU (species endemic to Cuba, described in 1956)
MUNROE'S SICKLEWING

The Munroe's Sicklewing is exceedingly rare. It was thought to be endemic to Cuba, but it has recently been discovered in the Bahamas.

Genus ANASTRUS
Anastrus sempiternus ______ CU DR JM
Anastrus sempiternus dilloni ______ CU DR JM (subspecies in Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica; another subspecies ranges from Texas to Ecuador)
COMMON ANASTRUS

Genus TIMOCHARES
Timochares runia ______ JM (species endemic to Jamaica)
JAMAICAN BANDED SKIPPER

Timochares runia was part of the Brown-banded Skipper, Timochares ruptifaciata, of Texas & Mexico (PE:32).

Genus CHIOMARA
Chiomara asychis (ph) ______ ABC(C) SL SV (K:295) (PE:32) (species in parts of the West Indies, with another subspecies from Costa Rica to Venezuela & Trinidad)
Chiomara asychis asychis ______ ABC(C)
Chiomara asychis grenada _____ SL (subspecies on Saint Lucia, the Grenadines, Grenada)
Chiomara asychis vincenta ______ SV (subspecies endemic to Saint Vincent)
WHITE-PATTERNED SKIPPER (or ASYCHIS SKIPPER)
(Range: n the Lesser Antilles; also from Costa Rica to Argentina and to Venezuela and Trinidad)

What was the White-patched Skipper in the Lesser Antilles and ABC islands is now the more-southerly White-patterned Skipper.
The now more-northerly White-patched Skipper, Chiomara georgina, ranges from the southern US to Costa Rica.

In Curacao, the White-patterned Skipper is rare.

A White-patterned Skipper in Curacao
(photo courtesy of Michiel Koomen)

Genus GESTA
Gesta invisus ______ (K:287) (PE:32) (This species has been said to occur in the West Indies, but further taxonomy has shown that the population in the Caribbean is actually a very similar species, noted below)
FALSE DUSKY WING
(Range: has been said to be the West Indies; also from south Texas to Argentina)

The False Dusky Wing was formerly in the genus ERYNNIS, that of the true duskywings (below, in this list).
Gesta gesta ______ ABC(A)(B)(C) DR JM PR
IMPOSTER DUSKYWING (another name is Blue-banded Skipper)
(Range: some of the Greater Antilles, and from Costa Rica to Argentina)

In Curacao, Gesta gesta, or the Blue-banded Skipper, is abundant.

Genus EPHYRIADES
Ephyriades brunnea ______ BH CU DM GD JM PR (K:287) (PE:32)
Ephyriades brunnea brunnea ______ BH CU (subspecies in Cuba & in the Bahamas; another subspecies in south Florida, US)
Ephyriades brunnea dominicensis ______ DM GD (subspecies in Dominica & Guadeloupe, described in 1948)
Ephyriades brunnea jamaicensis ______ JM (subspecies endemic to Jamaica)
FLORIDA DUSKYWING
(Range: the West Indies & south Florida, but strays to Honduras)

The Lesser Antillean population of Ephyriades brunnea on Dominica has been said by some to be a distinct species.
Ephyriades zephodes (ph) ______ CU DR (species on Cuba & Hispaniola)
ZEPHODES DUSKYWING

Zephodes Duskywing
Note the light blue color on the head.
(photo by Rob Van Brussel)
Ephyriades arcas ______ CU DM JM PR
Ephyriades arcas arcas ______ DM (subspecies on the northern Leeward Islands, also found on the islands of Antigua, St, Christopher, St. Eustatius, and on St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands)
Ephyriades arcas philemon ______ CU JM PR (subspecies in the Greater Antilles)
CARIBBEAN DUSKYWING

Genus ERYNNIS: TRUE DUSKYWINGS
Erynnis zarucco ______ CU DR (PE:32)
ZARUCCO DUSKYWING
(Range: the West Indies: Cuba & Hispaniola; also in the southeast US)

Genus ZOPYRION
Zopyrion satyrina ______ ABC(B)(C)

In Curacao, Zopyrion satyrina is abundant.

Genus PYRGUS: CHECKERED SKIPPERS
Pyrgus adepta (ph) ______ ABC(A)(B)(C)

Pyrgus adepta has often been treated as a subspecies of Pyrgus communis, the Common Checkered Skipper.
Some have argued in favor of elevating P. adepta to the species level, but they note that the identification of Pyrgus species is difficult, being preferably based on the examination of genitalia.
It is probable that Pyrgus adepta and Pyrgus communis are allopatric and can be identified by range.

In Curacao, Pyrgus adepta is abundant.

Above & below: Pyrgus adepta in Curacao
Above, a male; below, a female
(photos courtesy of Michiel Koomen)
Pyrgus oileus (ph) ______ CU DM DR JM PR (PE:33) (species described by Linnaeus in 1767)
TROPICAL CHECKERED SKIPPER
(Range: the West Indies; also Florida & south Texas to Argentina)

Pyrgus oileus is one of the more common butterflies in Cuba and the Isle of Pines, abundant in gardens, along roadsides, and in other open situations.

Above & below: a Tropical Checkered Skipper
during the FONT Dominican Republic Tour in April 2012
(photos by Marie Gardner)
Pyrgus crisia ______ CU DR (species on Cuba & Hispaniola)
ANTILLEAN CHECKERED SKIPPER
Pyrgus orcus ______ SV (species in the Lesser Antilles north to Dominica; also from Mexico to Argentina)
ORCUS CHECKERED SKIPPER

Genus HELIOPYRGUS (formerly HELIOPETES)
Heliopyrgus domicella ______ ABC(B)(C)
Heliopyrgus domicella domicella ______ ABC(B)(C)
ERICHSON'S WHITE SKIPPER

In Curacao, Heliopyrgus domicella is common.

Subfamily HESPERIINAE: BRANDED SKIPPERS, or GRASS SKIPPERS
A group comprised of more than 2,000 species worldwide.

Genus SYNAPTE
Synapte malitiosa ______ CU DR JM
Synapte malitiosa adoceta ______ DR (subspecies endemic to Hispaniola)
Synapte malitiosa malitiosa ______ CU JM (subspecies on Cuba & Jamaica)
CARIBBEAN FACETED-SKIPPER (has been called the Malicious, or Shady Skipper)

The Caribbean Facated-Skipper was conspecific with Synapte ailius, now called the Rain-forest Faceted Skipper that ranges from Mexico to Argentina: (K:309) (PE:33)

Genus CYMAENES
Cymaenes tripunctus (ph) ______ ABC(C) BH CU DR JM PR (K:309) (PE:34)
Cymaenes tripunctus theogenis ______ ABC(C)
Cymaenes tripunctus tripunctus ______ BH CU DR JM PR (subspecies in the West Indies)
THREE-SPOTTED SKIPPER (another name has been Dingy Dotted Skipper)
(Range: in the West Indies, in the Bahamas, Greater Antilles & associated islands east to the Virgin Islands; also in south Florida and from central Mexico to Paraguay)

Cymaenes tripunctus tripunctus is an abundant skipper on Hispaniola, preferring grassy and weedy areas.

In the Cayman Islands, Cymaenes tripunctus has been found on Grand Cayman & Cayman Brac.

In Curacao, Cymaenes tripunctus theogenis is rare.

The common name, Three-spotted Skipper, has also been had by the unrelated North American skipper, Oligoria maculata.

A Three-spotted Skipper photographed in Curacao
(photo courtesy of Michiel Koomen)

Genus PYRRHOCALLES
Pyrrhocalles antigua ______ BH CU DR PR
Pyrrhocalles antigua antigua ______ DR PR (subspecies on Hispaniola; possibly Puerto Rico)
Pyrrhocalles antigua eleutherae ______ BH (subspecies in the Bahamas, on Eleuthera & Andros Is.)
Pyrrhocalles antigua orientis ______ CU (subspecies endemic to Cuba)
CARIBBEAN SKIPPER
Pyrrhocalles jamaicensis ______ JM (species endemic to Jamaica)
JAMAICAN SKIPPER (or SCHAUS' SKIPPER)

Genus ARGON
The genus ARGON has been unknown from the West Indies. The discovery of an undetermined species of ARGON in the Las Abejas area of the Dominican Republic in 1986-87 was outstanding.

Genus TROYUS
Troyus turneri ______ JM (endemic) (species described in 2012)
TURNER'S SKIPPER

When it was very recently described, Troyus turneri was a new species in a new genus.
It has a wingspan of a little more than 1 centimeter.

The Turner's Skipper was named in honor of Thomas Turner, an expert on Jamaican butterflies who contributed to its discovery.
It was found in the area of Jamaica known as the Cockpit Country, and it is likely that it remained undiscovered for so long due to the inaccessible nature of that area.
The colors of the butterfly are black and gold. It lives in a green habitat. Black, gold, and green are Jamaica's national colors, on its flag.

Genus PERICHARES
Perichares philetes ______ DR JM PR (species in the Greater Antilles)
CARIBBEAN RUBY-EYE

Perichares philetes is similar to Perichares lotus, the Lotus Ruby-eye, that has been called the Green-backed Ruby-eye, that ranges from Mexico to Paraguay: (K:357) (PE:text)

Genus RHINTHON
Rhinthon osca ______ (This species has been said to occur in the West Indies, but further taxonomic study has shown that the population in the Caribbean are actually very similar species, noted below. Rhintho osca ranges from north Mexico to Ecuador & Trinidad (PE:text))
OSCA SKIPPER
Rhinthon cubana ______ CU PR (species in the Greater Antilles, in Cuba and Puerto Rico)
CUBAN RHINTHON (or SKIPPER)
Rhinthon bushi ______ DR (species endemic to Hispaniola, described in 1937)
BUSH'S RHINTHON (or SKIPPER)

Genus OARISMA
Oarisma nanus ______ CU (species endemic to Cuba & the Isle of Pines)
NANUS SKIPPERLING
Oarisma bruneri ______ CU (species endemic to Cuba)
BRUNER'S SKIPPERLING

Genus COPAEODES (formerly OARISMA)
Copaeodes stillmani ______ DR (species endemic to Hispaniola, including Isla Catalina, described in 1948)
STILLMAN'S SKIPPERLING
Copaeode eoa ______ (species endemic to Anegada Is., described in 1991)
ANEGADA SKIPPERLING

Genus HYLEPHILA
Hylephila phyleus (ph) _____ ABC(B)(C) CY DM DR PR SV (PE:35)
Hylephila phyleus phyleus ______ ABC(B)(C) CY DM DR PR SV (subspecies in the West Indies)
FIERY SKIPPER
(Range: throughout the West Indies: also from the central & eastern US to Argentina)

In the Cayman Islands, Hylephila phyleus has been found on Grand Cayman & Cayman Brac.

In Curacao, the Fiery Skipper is abundant.

The sexes of Hylephila phyleus, the Fiery Skipper, are quite differently patterned.

Above & below: the Fiery Skipper
(upper photo by Rise Hill;
lower photo in the Dominican Republic by Rob Van Brussel)

Genus ATALOPEDES
Atalopedes clarkei ______ ABC(A)(B)(C)
CLARK'S SKIPPER

In Curacao, the Clark's Skipper is rare.
Atalopedes mesogramma ______ BH CU CY DR PR
Atalopedes mesogramma apa ______ DR PR (subspecies in Hispaniola and Puerto Rico; smaller & brighter than A. m. mesogramma)
Atalopedes mesogramma mesogramma ______ BH CU CY (subspecies in the Bahamas, Cuba, and uncommonly in the Caymans)
MESOGRAMMA SKIPPER (also called Striped Skipper, or Striped Sachem)
(Range: in the West Indies, in the Bahamas, Cuba, where it is widespread & common, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico; also on the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico)

Atalopedes mesogramma, the Mesogramma, or Striped Skipper, is the most recent addition to the list of butterflies in the Cayman Islands. The first sighting in the Caymans was on Little Cayman Island in December 2007. It was a female. Since then, both female & male were found on Cayman Brac in January 2008. . .
Atalopedes carteri ______ BH (species in Bahamas, on New Providence Is., described in 1955)
CARTER'S SKIPPER
Atalopedes flaveola (or clarkei) ______ (species on Venezuela's Caribbean islands)
FLAVEOLA SKIPPER

Genus HESPERIA
Hesperia nabokovi ______ DR (species described in 1948)
NABOKOV'S SKIPPER

This species was first described as a species of ATALOPEDES, but in 1987 it was shown that nabokovi should be referred to HESPERIA.
Hesperia nabokovi is the only member of its genus occurring outside the Holarctic.

Hesperia nabokovi is now known from 3 general regions on Hispaniola:
the Cul de Sac - Valle de Neiba plain and the extreme western edge of the Llanos de Azua
the Peninsula de Barahona
and the western Valle de Cibao.

Genus LERODEA
Lerodea eufala (ph) ______ ABC(B)(C)
EUFALA SKIPPER

In Curacao, the Eufala Skipper is abundant.

Above & below: the Eufala Skipper
Above, the butterfly; below, the caterpillar.
(these three photos courtesy of Michiel Koomen)

Below, again the butterfly of the Eufala Skipper,
photographed in Curacao

Genus POLITES
Polites baracoa ______ CU DR (PE:36)
Polites baracoa baracoa ______ CU (subspecies in Cuba; also in Florida & Georgia, US)
Polites baracoa loma ______ DR (subspecies endemic to Hispaniola)
BARACOA SKIPPER
(Range: the West Indies; also parts of Florida & adjacent southern Georgia & southern Alabama)
Polites dictynna ______ DM SV (species endemic to the Lesser Antilles)
DICTYNNA SKIPPER (has also been called Lesser Whirlabout)

Genus ASBOLIS
Asbolis caprucinus ______ BH CU CY(rare) (PE:38) (species in Cuba, the northern Bahamas, & the Cayman Islands; also now in south & central Florida, US)
MONK SKIPPER
(Range: locally in the West Indies; and now parts of Florida & the Fla. Keys, as it was introduced from the West Indies into south Florida in 1947.)

Asbolis caprucinus, known as the Monk, or Monk Skipper, has a limited distribution. It was known only to be in Cuba and the Isle of Pines until the 1947 colonizing in Florida.
In 1981, it appeared in the Bahamas, on New Providence Island.
It was first found on Grand Cayman in 2002. Now it is said to be rare but widespread on Grand Cayman, the only island where it has been found in the Caymans.

Asbolis caprucinus butterflies are very wary and they fly quickly.

Genus WALLENGRENIA
Wallengrenia otho ______ (K:327) (PE:36)
(SOUTHERN) BROKEN DASH
(Range: from southeast US to Argentina)

Riley in his book, "The Butterflies of the West Indies", in 1985 considered all Antillean Wallengrenia as subspecies of the North American W. otho.
However, subsequent research has shown that arrangement to be incorrect. Rather, the West Indian taxa are best regarded as species distinct from both W. otho and from each other, including those noted below.
Wallengrenia druryi (ph) ______ BH DR(*) PR VI (species in the southern Bahamas, the Turks & Caicos Islands, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, & the Virgin Islands)
DRURY'S BROKEN DASH (also called ANTILLEAN BROKEN DASH)

A Drury's, or Antillean Broken Dash during the FONT tour
in the Dominican Republic in April 2012
(photo by Marie Gardner)
Wallengrenia misera ______ BH CU (species in Cuba & the northern Bahamas)
CUBAN BROKEN DASH
Wallengrenia vesuria ______ JM (species endemic to Jamaica)
JAMAICAN BROKEN DASH
Wallengrenia ophites ______ DM SV (species from St, Martin to St. Vincent; also Trinidad)
FIERY BROKEN DASH

Genus CHORANTHUS
Choranthus borinconus ______ PR (species endemic to Puerto Rico)
PUERTO RICAN SKIPPER
Choranthus haitensis ______ DR PR (species mostly on Hispaniola; some are said to be in Puerto Rico)
HAITIAN SKIPPER
Choranthus maria ______ DR (species endemic to Hispaniola) (species described in 1990; said to require verification)
MARIA'S SKIPPER
Choranthus schwartzi ______ DR (species endemic to Hispaniola, described in 1983)
SCHWARTZ'S SKIPPER
Choranthus melissa ______ DR (species endemic to Hispaniola, described in 1983)
MELISSA'S SKIPPER
Choranthus vitellius ______ PR (species in Puerto Rico & the Virgin Islands)
VITELLIUS SKIPPER (also called V-mark Skipper)
Choranthus radians ______ BH CU (species in Cuba, including the Isle of Pines, & on Great Exuma Is.)
RADIANS SKIPPER
Choranthus richmondi ______ BH (species in the north Bahamas & Grand Bahama Bank, described in 1965)
RICHMOND'S SKIPPER
Choranthus lilliae ______ JM (species endemic to Jamaica)
LILY'S SKIPPER

Genus PARACHORANTHUS
Parachoranthus magdalia ______ CU (species in Cuba, and possibly on N Andros Is.)
MAGDALIA SKIPPER

Genus PARATRYTONE
Paratrytone batesi ______ DR (species described in 1955)

Genus PYRRHOPYGOPSIS
Pyrrhopygopsis socrates orasus ______ ABC(C)

In Curacao, Pyrrhopygopsis socrates orasus is rare.

Genus EUPHYES
Euphyes singularis ______ CU DR JM PR
Euphyes singularis insolata ______ DR JM PR (subspecies on Jamaica, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico)
Euphyes singularis singularis ______ CU (subspecies endemic to Cuba)
SINGULARIS SKIPPER (also called Singular Sedge-Skipper)
Euphyes cornelius ______ BH CU
Euphyes cornelius agra ______ BH (subspecies endemic to the Bahamas)
Euphyes cornelius cornelius ______ CU (subspecies endemic to Cuba)
CORNELIUS SKIPPER

Genus CALPODES
Calpodes ethlius ______ ABC(B)(C) BD BH CU CY DM DR JM PR SL SV   (K:357) (PE:39) (S:44)
CANNA SKIPPER (also called the BRAZILIAN SKIPPER)
(Range: the West Indies; also from the southern US to Argentina)

In the West Indies, Calpodes ethius, the Canna (or Brazilian) Skipper, occurs throughout, with the apparent exception of the Virgin Islands. It is common in gardens where Cannas are grown, on which the larva feeds Canna Lilies are ornamentals. Calpodes ethius is a highly dispersive insect.

In Curacao, the Canna Skipper is rare. It was collected there in December 1998 (and when so it was "new" for the island).

Genus PANOQUINA

Panoquina lucas ______ CU CY DR JM
Panoquina lucas lucas ______ CU CY (subspecies in mainland America and in Cuba and the Caymans)
Panoquina lucas woodruffi ______ DR JM (subspecies in Jamaica, Hispaniola, and other West Indian islands; other than Cuba & Grand Cayman)
SUGAR CANE SKIPPER
(Range: throughout the West Indies, except the Bahamas; also from Texas south to Argentina)

The wing shape of Panoquina lucas, the Suger Cane Skipper, is similar to that of Calpodes ethlius, the Canna Skipper. But Panoquina lucas is smaller and with less white marking than Calpodes ethius.

Panoquina lucas has been mistakenly cataloged in the Caymans as Panoquina sylvicola.

In the Cayman Islands, Panoquina lucas occurs only on Grand Canyon, where it flies almost anywhere, but tends to avoid dense woodland and mangroves.

Panoquina panoquinoides ______ ABC(A)(B)(C) CY DR PR SV (K:355) (PE:39)
Panoquina panoquinoides panoquinoides ______ ABC(A)(B)(C) CY DR PR (subspecies in the Florida Keys and in the West Indies south to Saint Lucia; also in the Netherlands Antilles)
Panoquina panoquinoides eugeon ______ SV (subspecies in the West Indies in the Grenadines and Grenada)
OBSCURE SKIPPER
(Range: the West Indies; also from the southern US to Peru)

Panoquina panoquinoides is unrecorded in a number of the Lesser Antillean islands. Where it does occur, it does so sometimes erratically.

In the Cayman Islands, Panoquina panoquinoides has at times been common, while at other times, rare. Recently, it seems to have disappeared on Grand Cayman.

In Curacao, the Obscure Skipper is uncommon.

Panoquina ocola ______ DR PR (K:355) (PE:39)
Panoquina ocola distipuncta ______ DR (subspecies endemic to the southwest Dominican Republic, described in 1988)
Panoquina ocola ocola ______ DR (subspecies in the West Indies in the Greater Antilles; also Texas to Argentina)
OCOLA SKIPPER
(Range: the West Indies; also from the southern US to Argentina)

Panoquina ocola is a white-spotted, brown skipper similar to Panoquina lucas, but smaller. Panoquina ocola is easily overlooked.

Panoquina sylvicola ______ DM DR PR SV (K:357) (PE:39)
Panoquina sylvicola woodruffi ______ DM DR PR SV
PURPLE-WASHED (or Sylvicola) SKIPPER
(Range: the West Indies; also from north Mexico to Argentina & a regular stray to south Texas)

Panoquina nero ______ DR PR (species on Hispaniola & Puerto Rico)
NERO SKIPPER (another name, in Puerto Rico, is Puerto Rican Panoquin)

Panoquina corrupta ______ CU (species on Cuba & the Isle of Pines)
CORRUPT SKIPPER

Genus SALIANA

Saliana esperi soroa ______ CU (subspecies endemic to western Cuba; another subspecies from Mexico to Bolivia; species described in 1992)
PERCHING SALIANA

Genus HOLGUINA
Holguinia holguin ______ CU (species endemic to Cuba, described in 1955)
HOLGUIN SKIPPER

Genus NYCTELIUS

Nyctelius nyctelius ______ DM DR PR SV (K:357) (PE:39)
Nyctelius nyctelius agari ______ DM SV (subspecies in the Lesser Antilles, described in 1947)
Nyctelius nyctelius nyctelius ______ DR PR (subspecies in the Greater Antilles, the Virgin Islands; also from south Texas to Argentina)
VIOLET-BANDED SKIPPER (or Nyctelius Skipper)
(Range: the West Indies; also from Mexico to Argentina & as a periodic stray in south Texas)

Nyctelius nyctelius is found throughout the West Indies other than in the Bahamas and the Caymans.
It resembles Panoquina lucas but its hindwing under surface is unspotted and marbled lilac.

Some selected reference books regarding Butterflies & Moths of the Caribbean
(in addition to those noted at the beginning of the list):

"Butterflies of the Caribbean & Florida", by Peter D. Stiling

"Butterflies & Other Insects of the Eastern Caribbean", by Peter D. Stiling

"Butterflies of the Cayman Islands", by R.R. Askew & P.A. van B. Stafford (an excellent, informative book, published in 2008)

"The Butterflies of Hispaniola", by Albert Schwartz, 1989 (a thorough, informative book)

"The Hawkmoths of the World", by Kitching & Cadiou, 2000

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