| Quasimellana | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Quasimellana eulogius | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Hesperiidae |
| Subfamily: | Hesperiinae |
| Genus: | Quasimellana Burns, 1994 |
Quasimellana is a genus of skippers in the family Hesperiidae with a distribution in South America and southern North America.
Within family Hesperiidae, Quasimellana is placed in tribe Hesperiini. [1]
The genus was erected in 1994 by John Burns, containing at the time of description three species groups and twenty-four species, five of which (Quasimellana andersoni, Q. antipazina, Q. imperfida, Q. mielkei and Q. siblinga) were first described in the same publication. The remaining nineteen species were previously described in different genera. Quasimellana mexicana, originally described as Atrytone mexicana, is the designated type species of the genus. [2]
Distribution of the genus is from northern Argentina to the southern United States. [2] Fourteen species are known to occur in North America. [3]
Male wingspan ranges from 11.4 to 17.9 mm, with most species averaging between 14 and 16 mm. Females are on average larger than males of the same species. The eulogius group, with exception of Q. mulleri, shows strong sexual dimorphism, while such dimorphism is highly variable from species to species within the sethos and nicomedes groups. [2] The dorsal side of males of group eulogius is always yellow-orange with brown-black and dark venation. [2]
The following species were assigned to Quasimellana by John Burns in 1994, [2] with taxonomical changes since being referenced separately:
Predominantly North American in distribution, with a full range from the southern US to Brazil and Paraguay. [2]
Equal distribution in North and South America, with a range from Mexico to Brazil and Bolivia. [2]
Distribution largely South American, with a full range from Mexico to Argentina. [2]
Celaenorrhinus is a genus of skipper butterflies which are commonly termed sprites. An alternate name is flats, for their habit of holding their wings flat when resting, but this is also used for related genera. They are the type genus of tribe Celaenorrhinini.
The Hesperiini or branded grass skippers are a tribe in the Hesperiinae subfamily of skipper butterflies. They are known as branded grass skippers because all the males in this tribe feature a black diagonal brand of scales on their forewings that exude pheromones to attract females.
Anisochoria is a genus of skippers in the family Hesperiidae.
Carrhenes is a genus of skippers in the family Hesperiidae.
Cobalopsis is a genus of skippers in the family Hesperiidae.
Cymaenes is a genus of skippers in the family Hesperiidae.
Dalla is a genus of skippers in the family Hesperiidae.
Dyscophellus is a genus of largely Neotropical butterflies in the family Hesperiidae. The genus has been the subject of recent revisions based on genome analysis. It is currently placed in tribe Phocidini within the subfamily Eudaminae.
Heliopetes is a Neotropical genus of spread-winged skipper butterflies in the family Hesperiidae.
Iliana is a genus of skippers in the family Hesperiidae. It was first described in 1937 by Ernest Layton Bell, with Iliana romulus as the type species. Species of the genus have a neotropical distribution.
Lerema is a genus of skipper butterflies in the family Hesperiidae.
Naevolus is a genus of skipper butterflies in the family Hesperiidae.
Nastra is a genus of skipper butterflies in the family Hesperiidae.
Pachyneuria is a genus of skippers in the family Hesperiidae found from Mexico to South America.
Papias is a Neotropical genus of grass skipper butterflies in the family Hesperiidae.
Psoralis is a genus of skippers in the family Hesperiidae.
Telemiades is a genus of Neotropical butterflies in the family Hesperiidae.
Thespieus is a genus of skipper butterflies in the family Hesperiidae.
Staphylus is a genus of skippers in the family Hesperiidae found mainly in South America with some species in the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, and southern United States.
Moncina is a subtribe of butterflies in the skipper subfamily Hesperiinae.