PO Box 9021, Wilmington, DE 19809, USA
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Phone: Toll-free in USA 1-8
88-721-3555
 or 302/529-1876

 

Part 2 of a List
with some Photos
of

Central America
Butterflies 
and Moths

Whites, Sulphurs and Yellows,
and allies



Noting those during 
Focus On Nature Tours 

in
Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama

with tours in the months of: January,  February, March, April, July, December



Second Part of a List of Central America Butterflies in 5 Parts, 
compiled by Armas Hill


Here, in Part #2: Pieridae, the Whites, Sulphurs and Yellows, & Allies  

Among the Butterfly groupings in this list, links to:

Mimic-Whites     Tilewhites     Mimics in the genera Archonias & Charonias

Melwhites    Dartwhites     Whites     Sulphurs    Small Yellows


Links to other Central America Lepidoptera groupings:

Part #1 - Swallowtails (Papilionidae)

Part #3 - Copper, Hairstreaks, Blues (Lycaenidae) & Metalmarks (Riodinidae)

Part #4 - Brushfoots (Nymphalidae)     Part #5 - Skippers (Hesperiidae)     Moths


Codes relating to illustrations in various books:


Numbers noted as (BAPG:xx) refer to pages in "Butterflies of Arizona - A Photographic Guide", by Bob Stewart, Priscilla Brodkin, & Hank Brodkin (with fine photographs).   

Numbers noted as (BMCR:xx) refer to plates in "Butterflies and Moths of Costa Rica" by Isidro Chacon & Jose Montero.

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 (D1: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 (MCA:xx) refer to pages in "A Swift Guide to the Butterflies of Mexico & Central America" by Jeffrey Glassberg

Numbers noted as (PE:xx) refer to plates in the "Peterson Field Guides 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


Additional Codes:


BZ:   in Belize
CR:  in Costa Rica
GU:  in Guatemala
HN:  in Honduras    pb: at Pico Bonito Lodge in the Caribbean lowlands  
PN:  in Panama

(sl): at Sierra Llorona, in hills on the Caribbean side of Panama 

Butterflies observed during FONT tours noted by an (*) after the 2-letter country code. 


Other Links:


Itineraries for upcoming Focus On Nature Tours in:
Belize, Costa Rica,  Guatemala, Honduras, & Panama


Lists of Birds in:    Belize    Costa Rica    Guatemala    Honduras    Panama

A List & Photo Gallery of Birds in Central America, in 4 Parts

A List of Mammals in Central America  (with some photos)  

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 



List of Central American Butterflies, Part #2:


         
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 1,000 species.    


          Genus PSEUDOPIERIS: 
in the Neotropics, with 2 species in Central & South America
         
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.            
          
  

  1. Pseudopieris nehemia  ______  (D1:6)
    Pseudopieris nehemia irma  ______  (MCA:33) 
    subspecies in Mexico and Guatemala, described in 1979
    Pseudopieris nehemia francisca  ______  HN  subspecies in Honduras, subspecies described in 1979
    Pseudopieris nehemia luisa  ______ 
    subspecies in Panama, described in 1979
    CLEAN MIMIC-WHITE
    (Range: Mexico to southern Brazil)


    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 ore 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. 

  2. Dismorphia lua  ______
    Dismorphia lua costaricensis ______  (D1:6) 
    subspecies in Costa Rica
    Dismorphia lua idae  ______ 
    subspecies in Panama and Colombia
    LUA MIMIC-WHITE
    (Range: Costa Rica to Bolivia) 

  3. Dismorphia amphione  ______  (S:74)
    Dismorphia amphione praxinoe ______  HN pb (BMCR:104) (D1:6) (MCA:34) 
    subspecies from Mexico to Colombia
    Dismorphia amphione beroe  ______  subspecies in Panama and Colombia

    TIGER MIMIC-WHITE
    (Range: Mexico thru South America; also Trinidad, Cuba, Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico)  

    Dismorphia amphione is a highly variable species, so variable that different populations have hitherto been regarded as different species.  

    Dismorpha amphione is a member of a color/pattern mimicry system with Heliconius ismenius, along with Hypothyris euclea (in ITHOMIINAE in the NYMPHALIDAE), Melinaea lilis (or ethra) (in the NYMPHALIDAE), Eresia mechanitis (in the NYMPHALIDAE), and a diurnal moth.     

  4. Dismorphia eunoe  ______
    Dismorphia eunoe desine ______ (BMCR:104) (D1:6) (MCA:34) 
    subspecies from Nicaragua to Panama
    Dismorphia eunoe noelia  ______ 
    subspecies in Darien, Panama, described in 2004
    There are 3 subspecies further north in Mexico.
    EUNOE MIMIC-WHITE 
    (another name has been Guatemalan Mimic-White)
    (Range: Mexico to Panama)  

    Dismorphia eunoe occurs in forest habitats, also in coffee and conifer plantations.

    Dismorphia eunoe is a member of a color/pattern mimicry system with Heliconius hecale, along with Charonias eurytele (in the PIERIDAE), Napeogenes peredia (in ITHOMIINI in the NYMPHALIDAE), Eresia coelia (in the NYMPHALIDAE), and a diurnal moth.   

  5. Dismorphia crisia  ______  
    Dismorphia crisia alvarezi  ______  (MCA:34) 
    subspecies in Mexico and Guatemala, described in 1984 
    Dismorphia crisia virgo  ______ 
    subspecies in southeast Mexico and Guatemala
    Dismorphia crisia steinhauseri  ______  HN 
    subspecies in El Salvador and Honduras, described in 1984
    Dismorphia crisia lubina  ______  (D1:6)  
    subspecies in Costa Rica and Panama
    CRISIA MIMIC-WHITE 
    (another name has been Cloud-forest Mimic-White)
    (Range: southern Mexico to Brazil)  

    Dismorphia crisia occurs in cloud forests - from 1,000 to 2,000 meters in Costa Rica.

  6. Dismorphia zaela oreas ______ (BMCR:104) (D1:7)  (subspecies in Costa Rica & Panama)
    ZAELA MIMIC-WHITE
    (Range: Costa Rica to Ecuador) 

  7. Dismorphia theucharila  ______
    Dismorphia theucharila fortunata ______  HN pb  (BMCR:104) (C:363) (D1:7) (MCA:35) 
    subspecies from Mexico to Colombia
    Dismorphia theucharila siloe  ______ 
    subspecies in Panama and Colombia
    CLEAR-WINGED MIMIC-WHITE 
    (Range: Mexico to Brazil)

    Dismorphia theucharila
    is a member of a color/pattern mimicry system with Oleria paula (in ITHOMIINAE in the NYMPHALIDAE, and a diurnal moth: Dysschemia jansonius, the male. 

    Dismorphia theucharila, as indicated above, looks much like an ithomine clearwing - D1:35.


  8. Dismorphia zathoe pallidula ______ (BMCR:105) (D1:7)  subspecies in Costa Rica and Panama
    ZATHOE MIMIC-WHITE
    (Range: Costa Rica to Ecuador) 


    Genus LIENIX 

  9. Lienix lala lala  ______  subspecies in Chiapas, Mexico and Guatemala
    DARK MIMIC-WHITE

  10. Lieinix nemesis  ______ 
    Lieinix nemesis atthis  ______  HN  (BMCR:105) (D1:7) (MCA:35) 
    subspecies from Mexico to Panama
    FROSTED MIMIC-WHITE
    (Range: Mexico to Venezuela and Peru)

  11. Lieinix cinerascens ______ (D1:7)
    BLUISH MIMIC-WHITE
    (Range: El Salvador to Panama)

  12. Lienix viridifascia ______ (D1:7)
    GREENISH MIMIC-WHITE
    (Range: Costa Rica & Panama) 

    Lienix viridifascia is a rare species, apparently restricted to volcanoes.  


    Genus PATIA

  13. Patia cordillera (formerly orise)  ______
    Patia cordillera sororna  ______  PN sl  (BMCR:105) (D1:7) 
    subspecies from Costa Rica to Colombia
    CORDILLERAN MIMIC-WHITE
    (Range: Costa Rica to Bolivia) 


    Genus ENANTIA:
      4 species closely related to DISMORPHIA. They are by some regarded as DISMORPHINES, but they are not as strongly sexually dimorphic. They are fond of sun and flowers, and can be encountered in numbers usually at the close of the rainy season.
         
  14. Enantia albania (formerly melite)  ______
    Enantia albania albania  ______  HN  (MCA:33) 
    subspecies in Mexico, Guatemala and El Salvador
    Enantia albania amalia  ______  (BMCR:105) (D1:17) 
    subspecies from Nicaragua to Panama
    COSTA-SPOTTED MIMIC-WHITE

    (Range: Mexico to Uruguay)  

    Enantia melite
    is a most variable butterfly, which has suffered heavily at the hands of nomenclatorialists!)

  15. Enantia lina  ______
    Enantia lina marion  ______  HN  (D1:7) (MCA:33) 
    subspecies from southeast Mexico to Panama
    Enantia lina virna  ______  subspecies in southwest Chiapas, Mexico and southwest Guatemala, described in 2003  
    WHITE MIMIC-WHITE

  16. Enantia jethys  ______  HN  (MCA:33)
    JETHYS MIMIC-WHITE 
    (another name has been Bold Mimic-White)
    (Range: Mexico to Nicaragua)

  17. Enantia mazai  ______  (MCA:33)  (species described in 1984)
    DE LA MAZA'S MIMIC-WHITE
    (Range: in Mexico, south to Chiapas)


    Subfamily PIERINAE:  

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


    Genus HESPEROCHARIS: TILEWHITES 
    This is a grouping of 10 mostly South American species, whose biology is mostly, as yet, unknown. These butterflies can be quite active, flying in the "optimum" daylight period (late morning), and not being seen after about midday.

  18. Hesperocharis graphites graphites  ______   CR(*)  (BMCR:107) (D1:7) (MCA:22)  subspecies from Mexico to Panama 
    MARBLED WHITE 
    (another name has been Black-pointed Tilewhite)

    (Range: Mexico to Panama)

  19. Hesperocharis costaricensis 
    Hesperocharis costaricensis pasion  ______  (MCA:22) 
    subspecies in Mexico and Guatemala
    Hesperocharis costaricensis costaricensis  ______ (D1:7) 
    subspecies from Nicaragua to Panama
    COSTA RICAN WHITE  (another name has been Pallid Tilewhite)
    (Range: Mexico to Panama)

  20. Hesperocharis crocea  ______
    Hesperocharis crocea crocea  ______  HN  (D1:7) (MCA:22) 
    subspecies from Mexico to Panama 
    ORANGE WHITE 
    (or Orange Tilewhite)
    (Range: Mexico to Panama)


    Genera ARCHONIAS and CHARONIASThis interesting grouping of 3 (some say 5) species appears to mimic PARIDES and HELICONIUS species of butterflies, and one species of an ARCTIID day-flying moth. 
    Butterflies in this genus are comparatively slow-flying, with a fondness for settling on leaves in the sunshine, or simply visiting flowers where they may appear to spend a considerable effort on 1 or 2 blooms.

  21. Charonias (formerly Archonias) eurytele  ______
    Charonias eurytele nigrescens  ______  (MCA:23) 
    subspecies in Mexico and Guatemala
    Charonias eurytele dismorphites  ______  (D1:7) 
    subspecies in Costa Rica and Panama
    TIGER WHITE

    (Range: Mexico to Colombia)

    Charonias (formerly Archonias) eurytele is a member of a color/pattern mimicry system with Heliconius hecale, along with Dismorphia eunoe (in the PIERIDAE), Napeogenes peredia (in ITHOMIINI in the NYMPHALIDAE), Eresia coela (in the NYMPHALIDAE), and a diurnal moth. 

  22. Archonias brassolis (formerly tereas) ______  (F:82)
    Archonias brassolis approximata ______  HN  PN(*) (sl)  (BMCR:106) (D1:7) (MCA:23) 
    subspecies from Mexico to Panama 
    CATTLEHEART WHITE

    (Range: Mexico to Brazil) 

    Archonias brassolis looks like a smaller mimic of a female Parides swallowtail. It lives in open parts of rainforests.

    Members of the color/pattern mimicry system with Archonias brassolis are two PAPILIONIDAE butterflies: Parides eurimedes (or arcas) and Mimoides (or Eurytides) euryleon, and a diurnal moth: Dysschemia jansonius, the female.   


    Genus MELETE
    There are about 10 species in this genus, but there is some doubt about these generally colorful, mostly South American butterflies being PIERIDS. They are identified by their long antennae and the black bar which runs through the forewing. They may breed on members of the mistletoe family, and they may also be migratory as they are powerful fliers.
        

     
  23. Melete lycimnia  (ph)  ______ 
    Melete lycimnia isandra  ______  HN pb  (D1:10) (MCA:28) 
    subspecies from Mexico to Costa Rica
    Melete lycimnia chagris  ______ 
    subspecies in Panama
    Melete lycimnia monstrosa  ______  
    subspecies in Panama
    CREAMY WHITE 
    (another name has been Common Melwhite

    Melete lycimnia occurs from forest to open habitats - in Costa Rica, from sea level to 500 meters, on the Pacific Slope. 



    A Creamy White, or Common Melwhite
    (photo by Sherry Nelson)


  24. Melete polyhymnia 
    Melete polyhymnia florinda  ______  (D1:10) (MCA:28) 
    subspecies from Mexico to Colombia 
    GOLDEN WHITE
    (or Golden Melwhite

    Melete polyhymnia occurs along forest edges of montane rain forests - in Costa Rica: it is on both slopes, from 500 to 1,500 meters. 


    Genus CATASTICTAThis group, mostly South American, has over a hundred species of checkered butterflies. It is by far the largest genus of PIERIDS in Central & South America. 
    These are most mercurial butterflies, fond of flying rapidly in singles from flower to flower, or hurrying down to rushing streams where they alight on wet pebbles, oblivious to the splashing water all around them.   
    There is variation amongst individuals of local populations. But all CATASTICTA species have a characteristic milk-chocolate brown verso with distinctive white and yellow streaks in the interspaces between the veins.

  25. Catasticta nimbice  ______
    Catasticta nimbice ochracea  ______  HN  (K:51) (PW:7) 
    subspecies from Chiapas, Mexico and Guatemala to Nicaragua 
    Catasticta nimbice bryson  ______  (BMCR:106) (D1:11)  subspecies in Costa Rica and Panama 
    Catasticta nimbice ligata  ______ 
    subspecies in Panama, described in 1998        
    MEXICAN DARTWHITE
    (Range: Mexico to Panama)  

  26. Catasticta theresa ______  (BMCR:107) (D1:11)
    SMALL DARTWHITE
    (Range: Costa Rica & Panama)

  27. Catasticta flisa  ______
    Catasticta flisa flisa  ______ 
    subspecies in Mexico and Guatemala
    Catasticta flisa flisandra  ______ 
    subspecies in Chiapas, Mexico and Guatemala, described in 1972
    Catasticta flisa flisella  ______ 
    subspecies from southeast Mexico to El Salvador, described in 1972
    Catasticta flisa melanisa  ______  (BMCR:106) (D1:11) 
    subspecies in Costa Rica, described in 1998
    Catasticta flisa archoflisa  ______ 
    subspecies in Panama, described in 1998  
    NARROW-BANDED DARTWHITE
    (Range: Mexico to Colombia)

  28. Catasticta teutila  ______ 
    Catasticta teutila teutila  ______ 
    (subspecies in Mexico & Guatemala)
    Catasticta teutila flavomaculata  ______  CR(*)  (BMCR:107) (D1:11) 
    subspecies in Costa Rica and Panama  
    GOLDEN-BANDED DARTWHITE 
    (another name has been PURE-BANDED DARTWHITE)  
    (Range: Mexico to Colombia) 

    The Golden-banded Dartwhite is probably the most abundant Catasticta in Costa Rica, where it occurs in high-elevation wet forests from 900 to 3,800 meters.   



    A Golden-banded Dartwhite
    photographed in Costa Rica in April 2012
    (photo courtesy of Michael Layland)

  29. Catasticta cerberus ______ (BMCR:106) (D1:11)
    COSTA RICAN DARTWHITE
    (Range: Costa Rica & Panama)

  30. Catasticta ctemene (formerly strigosa)  ______
    Catasticta ctemene actinotis ______  (BMCR:106) (D1:11) 
    subspecies in Costa Rica and Panama
    DARKENED DARTWHITE

  31. Catasticta hegemon  (formerly prioneris)  ______
    Catasticta hegemon hegemon ______ (BMCR:106) (D1:11)  subspecies in Costa Rica and Panama
    FROSTED DARTWHITE
    (Range: Costa Rica to Peru) 

  32. Catasticta sisamnus  ______
    Catasticta sisamnus smalli ______  (BMCR:106) (D1:11) 
    subspecies from Honduras to Panama
    WHITENED DARTWHITE
    (Range: Honduras to Bolivia) 


    Genus LEODONTA:  The number of species in this genus is a matter of conjecture - some claim no more than 2 or 3; others say as many as 10! The distinctive underside pattern, however, along with their fondness for flying along pathways or by narrow stream banks makes them a rather easily recognizable group in the Neotropics.      

  33. Leodonta dysoni  ______  
    Leodonta dysoni dysoni  ______ (D1:11) 
    subspecies from Costa Rica to Venezuela
    DYSON'S WHITE

    (Range: Costa Rica to Peru)

  34. Leodonta tellane  ______
    Leodonta tellane chiriquensis  ______ 
    subspecies in Costa Rica and Panama
    TELLANE WHITE



    Genus PEREUTE:  This is a grouping of mostly South American butterflies with a black ground color and strident yellow or red bands. These 8 species are actually among the most subtly beautiful PIERIDS in any region of the world, with their outstanding colors being soft rose-pinks, blue-grays, and cadmium yellow streaks and patches. 
    (They are similar to the Indo-Australian DELIAS group, the JEZEBELS, in their appearance and behavior.)
      
  35. Pereute charops  ______  
    Pereute charops nigricans  ______  HN  (BMCR:108) (D1:11) (MCA:24) 
    subspecies from Mexico to Panama
    DARKENED WHITE 
    (another name ahs been Surprising White)
    (Range: Mexico to Peru)  

    One of the most attractive features of both sexes of Pereute charops are the almost completely white antennae.

  36. Pereute cheops ______ (D1:11)
    DARK WHITE
    (Range: Costa Rica and Panama)


    Genus APPIASA 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 genus occurs in Asia (mainly), Africa, and Australia, in addition to the Americas. This genus in the New World is also said by some, for structural reasons, to be GLUTOPHRISSA (with 2 species).
    (Note: The APPIAS butterflies in the Old World are referred to as the ALBATROSSES, and those in the closely-related genus CEPORA are referred to as GULLS.)  
     
  37. Glutophrissa (or Appias) drusilla  (ph)  ______  (BAPG:357) (K:53) (PE:7)(PW:7) (RG39)
    Glutophrissa drusilla tenuis  ______  HN pb  (BMCR:107) (D1:12) (MCA:26) 
    subspecies from Mexico to Peru
    TROPICAL WHITE
      (also called FLORIDA WHITE)
    (Range: southern US, Central and South America, also West Indies) 

    The Tropical White occurs in lowland tropical evergreen or semideciduous forests.
     
    Appias drusilla 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".   



    Tropical White
    (photo by Lisa Johnson) 
      

    Genus LEPTOPHOBIA:  15 or 16 species whose common characteristic is the silvery-white color of the underside of the hindwing. These species occur moderate to high elevations (to about 9,000 feet, or 3,000 meters). 

      
  38. Leptophobia aripa  ______
    Leptophobia aripa elodia  ______  GU(*)  HN  (BMCR:107) (D1:12) (MCA:27) (RG:40) 
    subspecies from Mexico to Panama
    MOUNTAIN WHITE 
    (another name has been Common Green-eyed White)
    (Range: Mexico to Brazil)

  39. Leptophobia caesia  ______
    Leptophobia caesia tenuicornis  ______ (BMCR:107) (D1:12) 
    subspecies in Costa Rica and Panama
    BLUISH WHITE
    (Range: Mexico to Ecuador) 

  40. Leptophobia tovaria  ______  segregate of the species in Panama
    TOVARIA WHITE 



    Genus ITABALLIA:  This is a group of 4 mostly South American species whose biology is mostly, as yet, unknown.

  41. Itaballia demophile  ______
    Itaballia demophile centralis  ______  HN  (D1:12) (MCA:25) 
    subspecies from Mexico to Panama
    BLACK-BANDED WHITE 
    (another name has been Cross-barred White)
    (Range: Mexico to Paraguay) 

  42. Itaballia pandosia 
    Itaballia pandosia kicaha ______  HN  (D1:12) (MCA:25) 
    subspecies from Mexico to Panama
    Itaballia pandosia sabata  ______ 
    subspecies in southeast Panama and Colombia
    BROWN-BORDERED WHITE
    (Range: Mexico to Venezuela) 


    Genus PIERIBALLIA

  43. Pieriballia viardi (formerly Pieriballia mandela (ph)  ______
    Pieriballia viardi viardi  ______  HN  (MCA:24) 
    subspecies from Mexico to Honduras 
    Pieriballia viardi noctipennis  ______  CR  (BMCR:108) (D1:12) 
    subspecies in Costa Rica and Panama
    VIARDI WHITE 
    (another name has been Painted White)
    (Range: Mexico to Peru) 



    Above & below: a Viardi White photographed in Costa Rica
    Two photos of the same butterfly:
    Above, the upperwings; below, the underwings
    (photos by Burke Korol)






    Genus PERRHYBRIS:  The 4 species in this genus are in a group of closely related genera of almost a dozen species which have very strong coloring and markings. In 1 or 2 instances, they fall into the now well-known  mode of imitation-heliconid livery. 

  44. Perrhybris pamela (formerly pyrrha) ______ 
    Perrhybris pamela chajulensis  ______  HN 
    subspecies from Mexico to Honduras, described in 1989
    Perrhybris pamela alethina  ______  (BMCR:108) (D1:12) (MCA:25) 
    subspecies in Costa Rica and Panama
    Perrhybris pamela fruhstorferi  ______ 
    subspecies in Panama
    DIMORPHIC WHITE  (another name has been Chiapas White)
    (Range: Mexico to Brazil)

  45. Perrhybris lypera  ______  
    Perrhybris lypera septentrionalis  ______  (BMCR:108) (D1:12) 
    subspecies from Guatemala to Panama   
    YELLOW-BANDED WHITE

    (Range: Guatemala to Ecuador)  

    The male of Perrhybris lypera is polymorphic.


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

  46. Ascia monuste  ______  
    Ascia monuste monuste  ______ GU(*)  HN pb  PN(*)  (BAPG:357) (BMCR:1`06) (D1:12) (K:53) (MCA:26) (PE:8)(PW:8) (RG:43) 
    subspecies in the mainland Americas 
    GREAT SOUTHERN WHITE 

    (Range: southern US, Central and South America, also the Antilles)

    The Great Southern White occurs in coastal salt marshes & dunes; also open places such as fields & gardens; migrants in a variety of open habitats. 
    The migrating females are almost totally gray in color, while non-migratory females are largely yellowish-white with dark brown margins.



    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.  

  47. Ganyra (was Ascia) josephina  ______
    Ganyra josephina josepha  ______  GU(*)  HN pb  (D1:12) (MCA:27) (PE:8)(PW:8) (RG:44)
    GIANT WHITE

    (Range: Mexico and Central America, also Greater Antilles) 

    The Giant White occurs at forest edges, usually in seasonally dry tropical lowlands. 

  48. Ganyra phaloe  ______  
    Ganyra phaloe tiburtia  ______  (K:53) (MCA:27) 
    subspecies from Mexico to El Salvador
    Ganyra phaloe limona  ______  (D1:12)  subspecies from Costa Rica to Colombia 
    GODART'S WHITE  (another name has been Felder's White)


    Subfamily COLIADINAE: SULPHURS
    300 species worldwide

    Genus COLIAS: SULPHURS. 
    A large and successful group of "YELLOWS", "SULPHURS" and "CLOUDED YELLOWS"
    Mostly in the Northern Hemisphere, in North America & Asia. Also in the Australian region, and in Africa, and Central & South America. 
    The sexes are often dimorphic. Many are strong migrants. They breed extensively on members of the pea family, Leguminosae.  
    Regarding ZERENE, sometimes considered separate from COLIAS: These have quite distinctive markings on the uppers.  

  49. Colias (or Zerene) cesonia  ______  (C:249) (F:109)
    Colia cesonia cesonia ______  HN pb  (AZ:39) (BMCR:112) (D1:8) (K:69) (MCA:29) (PE:10)(PW:12)(RG:48) 
    subspecies from the southern US to Colombia
    SOUTHERN DOGFACE 
    (Range: Mexico to Argentina)
     
    The Southern Dogface is common, particularly so where there is cattle ranching. The leguminous plants on which it breeds are used for cattle. Habitats for the species include open places, brushy hills, and weedy pastures.



    Southern Dogface
    (photo by Doris Potter during a FONT tour) 

     
  50. Colias philodice  ______
    Colias philodice guatemalena  ______  GU(*)  (AZ:41) (F:89) (K:61) (PE:9)(PW:10)
      subspecies in Chiapas, Mexico and Guatemala
    CLOUDED SULPHUR 
    (called "Mud-puddle" from the male's behavior of drinking at puddles & streams)
    (Range: North America into Mexico, with isolated population in Guatemalan highlands)

    The Clouded Sulphur occurs in many open habitats, including fields, lawns, and road edges.
     

    Genus ANTEOS: ANGLED SULPHURS,
    also called "MAMMOTH SULPHURS".  In this genus, 3 species of relatively large yellow butterflies. In Central & South America. Powerful fliers, all migratory (some fly north into the southern USA). They live in open, flowery habitats, and ly high over the canopy or along rivers. Males mud-puddle. 

  51. Anteos clorinde ______  CR(*)  GU(*) HN pb  PN(*)  (AZ:43) (BMCR:110) (D1:8) (F:78) (K:77) (MCA:29) (PE:10)(PW:12) (RG:49) (S:71)
    WHITE-ANGLED SULPHUR 
    (or the Clorinde,and also called Ghost Brimstone)
    (Range: Mexico to Argentina) 

    The White-angled Sulphur occurs in open sunny areas, with various tropical plants; migrants are nearly anywhere. 



    White-angled Sulphur
    (photographed by Doug Johnson during a FONT tour in Guatemala) 

  52. Anteos maerula  (ph)  ______  GU(*)  HN  (AZ:43) (BMCR:110) (D1:8) (F:78) (K:77) (MCA:29) (PE:10)(PW:12) (RG:50)
    YELLOW-ANGLED SULPHUR 
    (also called Yellow Brimstone
    (Range: southern US to Colombia and Peru) 

    The Yellow-angled Sulphur occurs in open sunny areas, with various tropical plants; migrants nearly anywhere.



    Yellow-angled Sulphur
    (photo by Lisa Johnson)


    Genus PHOEBIS: GIANT SULPHURS.  This grouping of PIERIDS is found 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. 

  53. Phoebis (or Rhabdodryas) trite  ______   (species described by Linnaeus in 1758)
    Phoebis trite trite  ______  HN  (BMCR:112) (D1:8) (MCA:29) 
    subspecies from Mexico to Panama
    STRAIGHT-LINED SULPHUR
    (Range: Mexico to Argentina, also the Antilles)

  54. Phoebis philea  ______  (F:105) (S:70)   (species described by Linnaeus in 1763)
    Phoebis philea philea  ______  GU(*) CR(*)  HN pb  PN(*)  (AZ:49) (BMCR:112) (D1:8) (K:75) (MCA:30) (PE:10)(PW:12) (RG:52)  
    subspecies from the southwest US to southern Brazil
    ORANGE-BARRED SULPHUR 
    (also commonly known as the Yellow Apricot)
    (Range: southern United States to southern Brazil, and in the West Indies)  

    Phoebis philea occurs at forest edges, and in city gardens. It is a common species in Costa Rica, where it is widespread. In addition to visiting flowers, males visit wet sand and mud, probably to obtain sodium. This general habit of many Pierids has been known since Henry Bates was on the Amazon. 

  55. Phoebis sennae  ______
    Phoebis sennae marcellina  ______  CR(*) GU(*)  HN pb  PN  (BAPG:45) (BMCR:112) (C:247) (D1:9) (F:105) (K:75) (MCA:30) (PE:10)(PW:12) (RG:51) 
    subspecies from the southwest US south thru much of South America
    CLOUDLESS SULPHUR
    (Range: southern US to Argentina, also in Antilles)

    Phoebis sennae can be abundant in both lowlands & highlands. It prospers in open land, with weedy tropical & subtropical plants.



    Cloudless Sulphur

  56. Phoebis argante ______  GU(*)  HN pb  (BMCR:111) (D1:9) (F:104) (MCA:30) (PW:text)
    APRICOT SULPHUR
    (Range: Mexico to southern Brazil) 

    Phoebis argante occurs in tropical forest clearings, roadsides, gardens, and pastures.

      
  57. Phoebis agarithe  ______  (F:104)
    Phoebis agarithe agarithe  ______  GU(*)  HN pb  (AZ:47) (D1:9) (K:75) (MCA:30) (PE:10)(PW:13) (RG:53)
    LARGE ORANGE SULPHUR
    (Range: southern US to Peru)  

    Phoebis agarithe occurs in many lowland tropical open areas, including forest edges, pastures, and city gardens. 



    A female Large Orange Sulphur

  58. Phoebis neocypris  ______
    Phoebis neocypris virgo  ______  HN pb  (AZ:359) (BMCR:111) (D1:8
    as P. rurina) (F:105 as P. rurina) (MCA:30) (PE:text)(PWp:178) (RG:54)  subspecies from the southwest US as a stray, to Brazil
    TAILED SULPHUR 
    (Range: Mexico to Brazil)  

    Phoebis neocypris occurs especially in forests at moderate elevations. It is a strong migrant.



    Genus KRICOGONIA

  59. Kricogonia lyside ______  (AZ:41) (D1:8) (K:77) (MCA:29) (PE:8)(PW:13) (RG:56)
    LYSIDE SULPHUR 
    (or Lyside)
    (Range: southern US to Venezuela, also the Antilles)  

    The Lyside Sulphur occurs in lowland scrub & at seasonally dry forest edges.



    Lyside Sulphur
    (photo by Lisa Johnson)


    Genus APHRISSA: Central & South American SULPHURS, similar to (or part of) PHOEBIS. With shiny undersides.

  60. Aphrissa (or Phoebis) statira  ______   (F:80)
    Aphrissa statira statira  ______  CR(*)  HN pb PN(*) (sl)  (D1:9) (BMCR:110) (MCA:30) (PE:10)(PW:13) (RG:54) 
    subspecies from Mexico to Brazil
    STATIRA SULPHUR 
    (also called Yellow Migrant, Migrant Sulphur, or Statira)
    (Range: Mexico to Brazil) 

  61. Aphrissa boisduvalii  ______  HN  (BMCR:110) (D1:9) (MCA:30)
    BOISDUVAL'S SULPHUR  (another name has been Peach-patched Sulphur)
    (Range: southern Mexico to Ecuador)

  62. Aphrissa schausi  ______  (may be conspecific with Aphrissa boisduvalii)   
    SCHAUS' SULPHUR

    (Range: southern Mexico and Guatemala) 


    Genus NATHALIS

  63. Nathalis iole ______  HN  (AZ:57) (K:71) (MCA:32) (PE:10)(PW:13) (RG:67)
    DAINTY SULPHUR
    (Range: North America to Honduras, also West Indies) 

    The Dainty Sulphur occurs in dry open areas, including weedy fields, sandy coastal flats, and hillsides.
    It is unique among SULPHURS, in several structural features, so much so that some say it belongs in a separate subfamily. Forewings elongated. It is sexually dimorphic & seasonally diphenic.  


    Genus EUREMA: SMALL YELLOWS This widespread genus, of 35-40 species, has a circumtropical distribution. They are usually lemon-yellow with black borders. Males often have a long scent patch on the forewing. These are 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 animals's urine furnishes them with mineralized liquid.  

  64. Eurema (or Abaeis) nicippe  ______  HN  (AZ:57) (K:69) (MCA:32) (PE:11)(PW:13) (RG:66)
    SLEEPY ORANGE  
    (Range: US to Costa Rica, also West Indies) 

    The Sleepy Orange has a misleading common name. Some now refer to this lively, fast-flying PIERID as the "Rambling Orange". This describes the butterfly better than it official name, which refers to the small, forewing dots, whose crescent shape reminded Comstock (who named the butterfly) of closed eyes - hence ""sleepy"".     

    In Costa Rica, Eurema nicippe is very rare. It occurs in low areas in lower austral & subtropical zones: in open woods, pines, and open fields. 



    A cluster of Sleepy Oranges photographed during a FONT tour in Mexico
    (photo by Doris Potter)

     
  65. Eurema (or Pyrisitia) proterpia  (ph)  ______  HN pb  (AZ:51) (D1:10) (F:97) (K:69) (MCA:32) (PE:11)(PW:13) (RG:62)
    TAILED ORANGE 
    (or Little Jaune)

    (Range: southern US, thru Central and South America, also the Antilles) 

    Eurema proterpia occurs in seasonally dry scrub, forest edges, pastures. There are seasonally different forms of both sexes.



    Tailed Orange
    (photo by Lisa Johnson)  

  66. Eurema mexicana  ______  (F:97)  
    Eurema mexicana mexicana  ______  HN  (AZ:51) (BMCR:111) (D1:10) (K:73) (MCA:31) (PE:11)(PW:13) (RG:60)
    subspecies from the southwest US to Panama
    Eurema mexicana bogotana  ______  subspecies from Costa Rica to Colombia
    MEXICAN YELLOW
    (Range: southern US, thru Central and South America) 

    Eurema mexicana occurs on dry open hillsides, and in thorn scrub & on prairies.

  67. Eurema salome  ______
    Eurema salome jamapa  ______  HN  (D1:10) (K:69) (MCA:31) (PE:text) (RG:61) 
    subspecies from the southwest US to Panama
    SALOME YELLOW
    (Range: southern US to Colombia and Venezuela) 

    Eurema salome occurs at forest edges and in openings and along road edges; at middle elevations in the tropics.

  68. Eurema xanthochlora ______  (BMCR:111) (D1:10) (MCA:31)
    Eurema xanthochlora xanthochlora  ______  HN
    TROPICAL YELLOW  (another name has been Scarce Yellow
    (Range: Mexico to Bolivia)

  69. Eurema gratiosa ______ (D1:10)
    DISJUNCT YELLOW
    (Range: Costa Rica to Venezuela)        

  70. Eurema boisduvaliana  ______  HN  (AZ:51) (D1:10) (K:73) (MCA:31) (PE:11)(PW:13) (RG:59)
    BOISDUVAL'S YELLOW
    (Range: Mexico to Costa Rica, also the Antilles)  

    Habitats for the Boisduval's Yellow include thorn scrub, pastures, & roadsides.

  71. Eurema (or Pyrisitia) dina  ______
    Eurema dina westwoodii ______  GU(*)  HN  (AZ:55) (D1:10) (K:73) (MCA:31) (PE:11)(PW:13) (RG:65) 
    (subspecies from Mexico to Panama)
    DINA YELLOW
    (Range: southern US to Panama, also the Antilles)
     
    The Dina Yellow occurs at edges of brushy fields & in open forests.

  72. Eurema albula  ______
    Eurema albula celata  ______  HN  (MCA:32) (RG:65) 
    subspecies from Mexico to Honduras
    Eurema albula marginella  ______  (BMCR:110) (D1:10) 
    subspecies from Nicaragua to Ecuador 
    WHITE YELLOW 
    (another name has been Ghost Yellow)
    (Range: Mexico to Brazil, also West Indies)

  73. Eurema (or Pyrisitia) nise  ______ 
    Eurema nise nelphe  ______  HN pb  (AZ:53) (D1:10) (K:71) (MCA:31) (PE:11)(PW:13) (RG:64) 
    subspecies from Mexico to Panama
    MIMOSA YELLOW  

    (Range: southern US to Argentina, also West Indies)

    The Mimosa Yellow occurs at brushy edges of woods.

  74. Eurema (or Pyrisitia) lisa  (ph)  ______   
    Eurema lisa centralis  ______  HN pb  (AZ:53) (D1:10) (K:71) (MCA:31) (PE:11)(PW:13) (RG:63) 
    subspecies from south Texas to Panama
    LITTLE YELLOW 
    (Range: from the southern US to Panama, also West Indies)  

    The Little Yellow is found in open flowery areas, also dry sandy fields, roadsides.



    A Little Yellow (left, obviously) with a Cloudless Sulphur
    photographed during a FONT tour
    (photo by Marie Gardner) 

  75. Eurema daira  ______  (F:96) 
    Eurema daira eugenia  ______  HN pb  PN(*) sl  (AZ:55) (BMCR:110) (D1:10) (K:71) (MCA:32) (PE:11)(PW:13) (RG:57)
    subspecies from Mexico to Panama
    Eurema daira lydia  ______  subspecies in southeast Panama and northwest South America
    BARRED YELLOW 
    (or Barred Sulphur)
    (Range: southern US to Uruguay, also West Indies)  

    Eurema daira has seasonal dimorphism in both sexes. 

  76. Eurema elathea  ______
    Eurema elathea vitellina  ______ (D1:10)  
    subspecies from Nicaragua to Venezuela
    BANDED YELLOW
    (Range: Nicaragua to Brazil & Bolivia, also West Indies)  

    Eurema elathea occurs  in pastures, dunes, & forest edges in tropical & subtropical zones. 

  77. Eurema agave ______
    Eurema agave millerorum  ______  HN  
    subspecies from Mexico to Costa Rica, described in 1987
    Eurema agave agave  ______ 
    subspecies in Panama and South America
    AGAVE YELLOW

  78. Eurema venusta  ______
    Eurema venusta venusta  ______ 
    subspecies in Panama and northern South America
    PALE YELLOW

  79. Eurema leuce  (ph)  ______
    Eurema leuce athalia  ______ 
    subspecies from Panama to Venezuela and Trinidad
    LEUCE YELLOW 



    Leuce Yellow



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