Tithorea tarricina

Last updated

Tithorea tarricina
Ithomini - Tithorea tarricina..JPG
013674614 Tithorea tarricia refaeli Neild 2008 PT.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Tithorea
Species:
T. tarricina
Binomial name
Tithorea tarricina
Hewitson, 1858
Synonyms
  • Tithorea duennaBates, 1864
  • Tithorea anachoretaThieme, 1903
  • Tithorea pinthiasGodman & Salvin, 1878
  • Tithorea monostictaGodman & Salvin, 1897
  • Hirsutis pinthias f. macasicaNiepelt, 1915
  • Tithorea pinthias meliniBryk, 1953

Tithorea tarricina, the tarricina longwing, variable presonian, [1] or cream-spotted tigerwing, is a species of butterfly belonging to the family Nymphalidae.

Contents

Description

The golden chrysalis of Tithorea tarricina Pupa Tithorea tarricina.jpg
The golden chrysalis of Tithorea tarricina

Tithorea tarricina has a wingspan reaching about 75–80 millimetres (3.0–3.1 in), with a forewing of about 40 millimetres (1.6 in). The pattern of the wings is quite variable. Usually the dorsal sides of the forewings are black with white spots, while the hindwings are orange with black margins. The underside are similar, with many small white spots along the black margins. The antennae are black. The chrysalides are completely golden.

Distribution

This rare species is present in Mexico and in Central and South America.

Habitat

Tithorea tarricina can be found at the edges of forested areas in lowlands and mountain slopes, at an elevation up to 1,500 metres (4,900 ft) above sea level. The host plants are in the genus Prestonia (mainly P. longifolia and P. portabellensis – family Apocynaceae).

Subspecies

The following subspecies are recognised: [2]

References

  1. Glassberg, Jeffrey. (2007). A Swift Guide to Butterflies of Mexico and Central America. Sunstreak Books Inc. p.144.
  2. "Tithorea Doubleday, [1847]" at Markku Savela's Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms