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Myscelia ethusa

(Mexican Bluewing)

Common Names

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Common Names in English:

Bluewave, Mexican Bluewing

Description

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Family Nymphalidae

'The Nymphalidae are members of the Superfamily Papilionoidea, the true butterflies. Distributed worldwide, butterflies of this family are especially rich in the tropics. They are highly variable, and there are more species in this family than in any other. Adults vary in size from small to large, and their front legs are reduced, unable to be used for walking. Wing shape is also highly variable: some species have irregular margins (anglewings and commas), and others have long taillike projections (daggerwings). Browns, oranges, yellows, and blacks are frequent colors, while iridescent colors such as purples and blues are rare. Adults of some groups are the longest-lived butterflies, surviving 6-11 months. Adult feeding behavior depends on the species, where some groups primarily seek flower nectar while others only feed on sap flows , rotting fruit, dung, or animal carcasses. Males exhibit perching and patrolling behaviors when seeking mates. Egg-laying varies widely, as some species lay eggs in clustsers, others in columns, and others singly. Caterpillar appearance and behavior vary widely. Brushfoots overwinter as larvae or adults.

'[1]

Subfamily Limenitidinae

The Limenitidinae are members of the Family Nymphalidae. These admirals and relatives are found on most continents. Adults of most genera are characterized by their flap-and-glide flight. Caterpillar and chrysalis structure defines this group.[2]

Physical Description

Species Myscelia ethusa

Forewing apex is truncated.

Forewing apex is truncated. Upperside is black with iridescent blue bands ; outer half of forewing has white spots. (ref. 106000)

Color:

Upperside is black with iridescent blue bands ; outer half of forewing has white spots.

Size/Age/Growth

Wing span : 2 1/2 - 3 inches (6.4 - 7.6 cm).

Habitat

Stream valleys with dry scrub or scattered tropical forest .

Typically found at an altitude of 0 to -102 meters (0 to -335 feet).[3]

Biology

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Diet

Caterpillar hosts: In the tropics, Dalechampia in the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae). Adult food: Rotting fruit.

Behavior

Young caterpillars make a resting perch by attaching dung pellets and silk to a leaf vein . The adults rest on tree trunks with wings closed , exposing their undersides which look like bark . Flight: Many flights throughout the year in South Texas.

Taxonomy

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Notes

Name Status: Accepted Name .

Similar Species

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Members of the genus Myscelia

ZipcodeZoo has pages for 25 species and subspecies in this genus:

M. albescens · M. antholia · M. aracynthia · M. auletes · M. blandina · M. calamis · M. capenas (Capenas Bluewing) · M. cyananthe (Blackened Bluewing) · M. cyanecula · M. cyaniris (Blue Wave Butterfly) · M. cyaniris cyaniris · M. cyanomelas · M. ethusa (Mexican Bluewing) · M. hypatia · M. leucocyana · M. madeira · M. milloi · M. obscura · M. octomaculata · M. oisis · M. orsis (Orsis Bluewing) · M. pattenia (Patten's Bluewing) · M. rogenhoferi · M. skinneri · M. streckeri

More Info

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Further Reading

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Notes

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Contributors

Data Sources

Accessed through GBIF Data Portal February 26, 2008:

Identifiers

Footnotes

  1. http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/taxonomy?f=18&sci=Nymphalidae&com=Brush-footed Butterflies [back]
  2. http://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=None&search=Search [back]
  3. Mean = -50.140 meters (-164.501 feet), Standard Deviation = 54.040 based on 7 observations. Altitude information for each observation from British Oceanographic Data Centre. [back]
Last Revised: 7/2/2009