Zaretis itys

{{Short description|Species of butterfly}}

{{Speciesbox

| image = Nymphalidae - Zaretis itys.JPG

| image_caption = Upperside, from Brazil

| image2 = Zaretis itys itys MHNT ventre.jpg

| image2_caption = Underside

| taxon = Zaretis itys

| authority = (Cramer, [1777])

| synonyms =

  • Papilio itys Cramer, [1777]
  • Anaea itys
  • Siderone itys itylus Westwood, 1850
  • Zaretes pseuditys Fruhstorfer, 1909

}}

Zaretis itys, the skeletonized leafwing or leaf wing butterfly, is a Neotropical nymphalid butterfly genus in the subfamily Charaxinae.

Subspecies

  • Zaretis itys itys - Surinam
  • Zaretis itys itylus (Westwood, 1850) - Brazil (Rio de Janeiro, Espírito Santo)

Description

Zaretis itys has a wingspan of about {{convert|55|-|60|mm}}. The upperside of both wings is dull orange. The underside of the wings simulates dried leaves in colour and pattern. The ground colour is usually earthy brown.[http://www.sangay.eu/ficha-principale.php?ref=369&lang=en Sangay National Park]

Biology

Caterpillars feed on leaves of Casearia and Laetia species (Salicaceae). They usually bind their droppings together with silk as protection from ants.

Distribution

This species can be found from Mexico to the Guyanas, Paraguay, Suriname and Brazil.[http://www.nic.funet.fi/pub/sci/bio/life/insecta/lepidoptera/ditrysia/papilionoidea/nymphalidae/charaxinae/zaretis/index.html Zaretis], funet.fi

Bibliography

  • Muyshondt, 1973 - Notes on the life cycle and natural history of butterflies of El Salvador. II. Anaea (Zaretis) itys J. Lep. Soc. 27: 294-302
  • Carlos Guilherme C. MielkeI; Olaf H. H. MielkeII; Mirna M. Casagrande [http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?pid=S0101-81752004000400027&script=sci_arttext Comparative study of the external morphology of Zaretis itys itylus (Westwood) and Agrias claudina annetta (Gray)]

References

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