2-8-2021 SPACE MUSEUM, CUENCA - LARGE WHITE BUTTERFLY (Pieris brassicae)

 Pieris brassicae, the large white, also called cabbage butterfly, cabbage white, cabbage moth (erroneously), or in India the large cabbage white, is a butterfly in the family Pieridae. It is a close relative of the small white, Pieris rapae.

The large white is common throughout Europe, North Africa and Asia.

The large white is common throughout Europe, north Africa, and Asia to the Himalayas often in agricultural areas, meadows and parkland. It has managed to establish a population in South Africa and in 1995 it was predicted to spread to Australia and New Zealand.

The large white is a strong flier and the British population is reinforced in most years by migrations from the continent. Scattered reports of the large white from the north-eastern United States (New York, Rhode Island and Maine) over the past century are of a dubious nature and indicate either accidental transport or intentional release. Such introductions threaten to establish this agricultural pest in North America.

In 2010 the butterfly was found in Nelson, New Zealand where it is known as the great white butterfly. It is classed as an unwanted pest due to the potential effect on crops. For a limited period in October 2013 the Department of Conservation offered a monetary reward for the capture of the butterfly. After two weeks, the public had captured 134 butterflies, netting $10 for each one handed in. As a result of this and other containment measures, such as over 263,000 searches in the upper South Island and the release of predatory wasps, the large white was officially declared to be eradicated from New Zealand as of December 2014

2-8-2021 SPACE MUSEUM, CUENCA - ARCTIIDAE MOTH (Pareuchaetes aurata)

 Pareuchaetes aurata is a moth of the subfamily Arctiinae. It was described by Arthur Gardiner Butler in 1875. It is found in Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay.

2-8-2021 SPACE MUSEUM, CUENCA - WIDESPREAD 88 BUTTERFLY (Diaethria clymena

 Diaethria clymena, the Cramer's eighty-eight, is a species of butterfly of the family Nymphalidae. It is found from Mexico to Peru and Brazil. It was discovered to science by Pieter Cramer, in a fascicle of De uitlandsche Kapellen, 1775.

The wingspan is about 30–40 millimetres (1.2–1.6 in). Adults are black with a blue band on each wing. The underside is red and white with black stripes that look like an outlined number "89" or "98".

The larvae feed on Trema lamarckiana, Trema micrantha, and Theobroma.

2-8-2021 SPACE MUSEUM, CUENCA - CLEOPATRA BUTTERFLY (Gonepteryx cleopatra)

Gonepteryx cleopatra, the Cleopatra or Cleopatra butterfly, is a medium-sized butterfly of the family Pieridae.

Gonepteryx cleopatra is a medium-sized butterfly with a wingspan of about 50–70 mm (2.0–2.8 in). It is a sexually dimorphic species; the female has pale yellow or greenish wings, whereas the male is darker yellow with an orange patch on the forewing. Both sexes have a forewing apical hook and brown dots in the center of each wing, and the underside of wings is light greenish yellow. The greenish color, the shape and the pronounced venation on the hindwings give to these butterflies a good camouflage, making them resemble just leaves.

2-8-2021 SPACE MUSEUM, CUENCA - BERGERS CLOUDED YELLOW BUTTERFLY (Colias alfacariensis)

Colias alfacariensis, Berger's clouded yellow, is a butterfly of the family Pieridae. It was separated from the pale clouded yellow, C. hyale, in 1905. Berger's clouded yellow is a Palearctic species (South and Central Europe, South Russia, Russian Far East, Siberia Central Asia and temperate China also Asia Minor, Caucasus and Transcaucasia.

The wings of the male have a yellow ground colour, the females have a greenish-white ground colour, only the underside of the hind wings is yellowish. The upper wing side of both sexes has a dusted dark brown to black marginal band, which is only narrow on the hind wings. In the cell of the forewings there is a black spot on the upper and lower sides. The males have on the upperside of the hind wings in the cell an orange spot with a red border, on the underside this spot is bright and clearly outlined in red. This spot may be divided into two by the red border, so that it resembles an eight similar to Colias hyale and other yellow members of the genus Colias. In the females, the orange spot on the top of the hind wings is not bordered. The caterpillars , on the other hand, clearly differ from the caterpillars of Colias hyale after the second moult. Both caterpillars are green, however, the caterpillar of Colias alfacariensis has four eye-catching yellow lines with black dots while the caterpillar of the Colias hyale has only two thin side lines.

2-8-2021 SPACE MUSEUM, CUENCA - PROVENCE ORANGE TIP BUTTERFLY (Anthocharis euphenoides)

Anthocharis euphenoides, the Provence orange tip, is a species of butterfly in the family Pieridae. It is found in the Iberian Peninsula (missing in the southwest and northeast), in the south of France (from the eastern Pyrenees to the Alpes-Maritimes) and in Italy in the Abruzzo. There are a few records from Switzerland (Southern Ticino). Its caterpillars use Biscutella as their food source.

Description in Seitz

A. euphenoides is distinguished in both sexes only by the colour and markings of the underside of the hindwing. In the females the colour of the apical area of the upperside of forewing is very variable, for there occur also specimens with rather large reddish yellow patch. — ab. lecithosa Tur., hitherto only found in South France, has no orange patch in the male, but, like the female of this form, a sulphur-yellow apical spot. — Larva greenish, with yellow and black dorsal markings , white lateral stripes and large black dots, head green; in autumn on Biscutella species; it is a so-called cannibal-caterpillar. Pupa light brown, also green, very strongly incurved (Spuler).

2-8-2021 SPACE MUSEUM, CUENCA - APOLLO BUTTERFLY (Parnassius apollo)

 The Apollo or mountain Apollo (Parnassius apollo), is a butterfly of the family Papilionidae.

This typically mountain species prefers hills and flowery alpine meadows and pastures of the continental European mountains, in Spain, Scandinavia and Central Europe, in the Balkans up to northern Greece and in the Alps between Italy and France.

Habitat of Parnassius apollo in La Thuile, Italy, at about 2700 m above sea level

It is also present in some areas of the central Asia (Sakha). Typical of high altitudes, its range is from 400 metres (1,300 ft) up to 2,300 metres (7,500 ft), although it is far more present above 1,000 metres (3,300 ft).

This species requires specific climatic conditions (cold winter, sunny summer). It also requires wide open spaces (with a cover of shrubs less than 5%) and a large surface of lawns (at least 50%). The presence of the host plant for the caterpillars is critical.

22-8-2021 SPACE MUSEUM, CUENCA - BUTTERFLY (Monethe albertus)

 Regions of Colombia where you can see:

This butterfly can be found in various regions of the country, including the Amazon, the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, the Andean region and the Cauca Valley.

The Monethe albertus butterfly is, in fact, black with orange and white markings on the wings. The upper part of the wings has a wide orange and white band on the outer edge, while the lower part of the wings is mainly black with some white and orange markings.

Adult butterflies feed on nectar from a variety of flowers, including species in the Asteraceae and Melastomataceae families. Monethe albertus larvae feed on the leaves of plants in the Rubiaceae family.

2-8-2021 SPACE MUSEUM, CUENCA - DARK CLOUDED YELLOW BUTTERFLY (Colias fieldii)

Colias fieldii , the dark clouded yellow, is a butterfly in the family Pieridae. It is found in southern Iran, India, southern China, Indochina, and Ussuri.

The larvae feed on Leguminosae species.

Subspecies

C. f. fieldii Yunnan, India

C. f. chinensis Verity, 1909 S.Ussuri

Accepted as a species by Josef Grieshuber & Gerardo Lamas 

22-8-2021 SPACE MUSEUM, CUENCA - CLEOPATRA BUTTERFLY (Gonepteryx cleopatra)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/123815-Gonepteryx-cleopatra

Gonepteryx cleopatra, the Cleopatra or Cleopatra butterfly, is a medium-sized butterfly of the family Pieridae.

Gonepteryx cleopatra is a medium-sized butterfly with a wingspan of about 50–70 mm (2.0–2.8 in). It is a sexually dimorphic species; the female has pale yellow or greenish wings, whereas the male is darker yellow with an orange patch on the forewing. Both sexes have a forewing apical hook and brown dots in the center of each wing, and the underside of wings is light greenish yellow. The greenish color, the shape and the pronounced venation on the hindwings give to these butterflies a good camouflage, making them resemble just leaves.

The Cleopatra butterfly inhabits open woodland and scrub. The flight period is from May to August in most parts of its range, except Spain, where it is double brooded and may fly almost all year. The adult hibernates in evergreen trees and shrubs. The caterpillars feed on the buckthorns Rhamnus alaternus. When the green caterpillars are prepared to pass to the pupal stage, they tie themselves through a silk belt to the host plant, on the underside of a leaf. The green chrysalis became gradually yellow and red, revealing the colors on the wings of the adult close to flutter.

This species is native to the Mediterranean region (Southern Europe, North Africa and West Asia).

2-8-2021 SPACE MUSEUM, CUENCA -SOOTY COOPER BUTTERFLY (Lycaena tityrus)

Lycaena tityrus, the sooty copper, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in Europe.

The wingspan is 28–30 millimetres (1.1–1.2 in). The butterfly flies from April to October, depending on the location and subspecies (L. t. subalpina is univoltine in July).

The larvae feed on Rumex acetosa and Rumex acetosella.

22-8-2021 SPACE MUSEUM, CUENCA - COMMON DOTTED BORDER BUTTERFLY (Mylothris agathina ssp. agathina)

Mylothris agathina agathina is a subspecies of insects with 1393 observations.

 

2-8-2021 SPACE MUSEUM, CUENCA - SCARCE COPPER BUTTERFLY (Lycaena virgaureae)

 The scarce copper (Lycaena virgaureae) is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae (copper or gossamer-winged butterflies).

AppearanceThe lower surfaces of the back wings are yellowish and have only a few black dots; there are characteristic white marks in the immediate vicinity of these. The species exhibits one kind of sexual dimorphism: male butterflies are colored bright gold-red on the upper side of wing, while the females have broader orange wings with a dark design.

A generation appears from mid-July to mid-September.

Eggs are laid on dried-out plant parts, for example on dry sorrel stems. The eggs are white in color and somewhat larger than those of other Lycaena species. The caterpillars are green and nocturnal and eat sorrel. Lycaena virgaureae is the only species of this genus whose eggs last over the winter. The butterflies feed on blossoms of such plants as the ground-elder, Eupatorium, Valeriana, and burnet saxifrage.

2-8-2021 SPACE MUSEUM, CUENCA - CRAMER'S EIGHTY-EIGHT (Diaethria clymena)

Diaethria clymena, the Cramer's eighty-eight, is a species of butterfly of the family Nymphalidae. It is found from Mexico to Peru and Brazil. It was discovered to science by Pieter Cramer, in a fascicle of De uitlandsche Kapellen, 1775.

The wingspan is about 30–40 millimetres (1.2–1.6 in). Adults are black with a blue band on each wing. The underside is red and white with black stripes that look like an outlined number "89" or "98".

The larvae feed on Trema lamarckiana, Trema micrantha, and Theobroma.

22-8-2021 SPACE MUSEUM, CUENCA - SOLDIER BUTTERFLY (Danaus eresimus)

Danaus eresimus, the soldier or tropical queen, is a North American, Caribbean, and South American butterfly in the family Nymphalidae.

Their flight is slow and they are reasonably easy to approach, but will fly for some distance if approached too closely.

The upperside of the wings is dark reddish brown with the forewing sometimes having white submarginal spots. The veins are lightly marked with black. Males have a black scent patch on each of the hindwings. The underside of the wings is also dark brown with a postmedian band made up of squarish spots. The soldier has a wingspan of 2+1⁄2 to 3+1⁄2 inches (64–76 mm).species which has more white markings on the hindwing underside.

Similar species

Similar species in the soldier's range include the monarch (Danaus plexippus) and the queen (Danaus gilippus).

The monarch is more orange, has heavier black-lined veins, and the underside of the wings is a pale yellowish color.

2-8-2021 SPACE MUSEUM, CUENCA - BROAD BANDED HUNTER HAWKMOTH MOTH (Theretra silhetensis)

Theretra silhetensis, the brown-banded hunter hawkmoth, is a moth of the family Sphingidae described by Francis Walker in 1856. It lives in Indo-Australia, India, Sri Lanka, Papua New Guinea, East Australia, Solomon Islands, Fiji Islands, Vanuatu Islands.

 The wingspan is 60–72 mm. Not to be confused with Theretra oldenlandiae in being very much paler in color and with a white line down the center of the abdomen. The forewing has a silvery line beyond the oblique brown band. Other parts are ochreous. Larvae are exceedingly variable, from yellow green and green to brown or greyish black ones. But the commonly found color of larva is green with a reddish-brown dorsal area. There is a subdorsal paler line with equal-sized ocelli from 4th to 10th somites with green center. The horn is reddish brown as well.

2-8-2021 SPACE MUSEUM, CUENCA - WHITE MORPHO BUTTERFLY (Morpho polyphemus)

 Morpho polyphemus, the white morpho or Polyphemus white morpho, is a white butterfly of Mexico and Central America, ranging as far south as Costa Rica. As suggested by its name, this is one of the relatively few Morphos that is white rather than blue. Some authorities include M. luna, which is also white, as a subspecies of M. polyphemus.

Both the upper and lower wings are bright white, with some small light brown markings. There is a row of small eyespots on the underside of the hindwings.

The caterpillar has been known to eat Paullinia pinnata (family Sapindaceae) and Inga (family Fabaceae).

The species epithet is derived from Polyphemus, a character in Greek mythology, from the small eyespots on the wing. Polyphemus was the one-eyed son of Poseidon and Thoosa.

2-8-2021 SPACE MUSEUM, CUENCA - BLACK SATYR BUTTERFLY (Satyrus actaea)

Satyrus actaea, the black satyr, is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae. It is found in South-Western Europe, Asia Minor, Syria, Iran and Baluchistan (SW Pakistan).

The length of the forewings is 24 to 28 mm. Upperside of male black-brown, with a dark sheen in live specimens: the 2 ocelli of the forewing mostly represented only by the small bluish white pupils. In old specimens, with the ground-colour faded, the pupil is bordered with deep black. Between the ocelli of the forewing sometimes 2 minute white dots. The number of the ocelli may be enlarged or diminished as in all Satyrus, e. g. merula Schultz, ornata Schultz. In the female the distal band is indicated by a paler, sometimes yellowish brown tint, and the ocelli are considerably larger than in the male. Underside different in the various forms, with a distinctly defined distal ban, a dark dentate line in the cell and across the hindwing, and a somewhat irregular submarginal line.

The butterfly is on wing in July and August in one generation. The habitat is rocky places at 600 to 1,800 m. The larvae feed on various grasses (Brachypodium and Bromus sp. and sedges).

22-8-2021 SPACE MUSEUM, CUENCA - GREAT KITE SWALLOWTAIL BUTTERFLY (Protesilaus protesilaus)

Protesilaus protesilaus is a species of butterfly of the family Papilionidae. It is found in the Neotropical realm.

Bands one and two of the hindwing usually extend beyond the second submedian, band four mostly goes beyond the middle of the cell and sometimes reaches to its hinder margin, the transparent submarginal band has at least in the costal third brownish scales; hindwing more strongly dentate than in Protesilaus glaucolaus leucas. Frons in specimens from the Andes often entirely brownish black. Dorsal edge of the harpe dilated into a tooth, which is sometimes absent in specimens from the Andes. Submarginal spots of the hindwing white, rarely slightly yellowish, hindwing more strongly dentate than in Protesilaus glaucolaus, the first and second bands of the forewing on the whole shorter than in Protesilaus molops. Frons sometimes entirety brown black. The scent-scales very long and thin. The dorsal edge of the harpe deflexed, lying flat on the harpe, strongly dentate.

2-8-2021 SPACE MUSEUM, CUENCA - QUEEN OF SPAIN FRITILLARY BUTTERFLY (Issoria lathonia)

This migratory species is widespread in most of Europe, in North Africa, Canary Islands, and in the eastern Palearctic realm (Central Asia, Himalayas, Baluchistan, and Western China). These butterflies live in open areas, in dry lawns, agricultural wastelands and in extensive crops at altitudes between sea level and 2700 m.

This species is present almost throughout the year, with three or four successive generations. The eggs are laid separately on the underside of the leaves of the host plant. The larval cycle is exceptionally short. The pupation takes place among the low vegetation, between a few leaves united by silk. This species may overwinter at all larval stages.

Adults are strong flyers and fly from March to October. The heat-dependent caterpillars feed on Viola species (wild pansy or heartsease (Viola tricolor), field pansy (Viola arvensis), Viola canina, Viola odorata, Viola calcarata, Viola lutea, Viola biflora), lucerne (Medicago sativa), borage (Borago officinalis), Anchusa, Rubus and Onobrychis species.

In the dry regions Issoria lathonia carries out a seasonal vertical migration between hardy evergreen shrubs and small trees of plains and mountain fir pines, where it remains in summer to descend in autumn at low altitude.

2-8-2021 SPACE MUSEUM, CUENCA - MARSH FRITILLIARY BUTTERFLY (Euphydryas aurinia)

The marsh fritillary (Euphydryas aurinia) is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae. Commonly distributed in the Palearctic region, the marsh fritillary's common name derives from one of its several habitats, marshland. The prolonged larval stage lasts for approximately seven to eight months and includes a period of hibernation over the winter. The larvae are dependent on the host food plant Succisa pratensis not only for feeding but also for hibernation, because silken webs are formed on the host plant as the gregarious larvae enter hibernation. Females lay eggs in batches on the host plant and are, like other batch-layers, selective about the location of oviposition because offspring survivorship levels for batch-layers are more tied to location selection than they are for single-egg layers.

As of 2019 the butterfly's global conservation status is considered of least concern, but it has faced rapid decline and is considered regionally vulnerable or endangered over much of its range.

2-8-2021 SPACE MUSEUM, CUENCA - SPOTTED FRITILLARY BUTTERFLY (Melitaea didyma)

Melitaea didyma, the spotted fritillary or red-band fritillary, is a Palearctic butterfly of the family Nymphalidae.

Melitaea didyma is a medium-sized butterfly with a wingspan reaching 35–50 millimetres (1.4–2.0 in). The overside of the wings is a bright orange-brown with dark brown markings arranged in rows, which are quite variable in quantity and size. Sometimes the colour of the females is a duller orange, shaded with grey-green. The underside of the wings is chequered pale yellow and pale orange. M. didyma has seasonal forms and sexual dimorphism. The male is fiery red, with a narrow dentate black distal border and a moderate number of small black dots and spots, which are dispersed over the basal half of the wing and end with a short band extending beyond the cell from the costa into the disc. On the underside, which is very abundantly marked with small black dots and hooks, a flexuose subbasal band and a curved submarginal one are situated on a delicately greenish, or yellowish, white ground. In the female the forewing and the anal area of the hindwing are much paler, being moreover dusted with blackish, while the costal half of the hindwing has preserved the red tint : the whole wings are much more abundantly but less prominently marked with black. There occur sometimes specimens with a blue gloss on the upperside.

2-8-2021 SPACE MUSEUM, CUENCA - SMALL TORTOISESHELL BUTTERFLY (Aglais urticae)

The small tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) is a colourful Eurasian butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. Adults feed on nectar and may hibernate over winter; in warmer climates they may have two broods in a season. While the dorsal surface of the wings is vividly marked, the ventral surface is drab, providing camouflage. Eggs are laid on the common nettle, on which the larvae feed.

It is a medium-sized butterfly that is mainly reddish orange, with black and yellow markings on the forewings as well as a ring of blue spots around the edge of the wings. It has a wingspan ranging from 4.5 to 6.2 cm.

22-8-2021 SPACE MUSEUM, CUENCA - PURPLE TREBLE BAR MOTH (Aplocera praeformata)

Aplocera praeformata, known as the purple treble-bar, is a species of moth in the family Geometridae.

This species is present from the Iberian Peninsula and France, through Western Europe, over Central Europe, to Russia. Its northernmost range is southern Finland and the Baltic States.  The subspecies Aplocera praeformata urbahni is found in Greece. In the Alps it is found to heights of up to 2,000 meters.

22-8-2021 SPACE MUSEUM, CUENCA - MEMPHIS BUTTERFLY (Memphis moruus)

 Memphis, described by Jacob Hübner in 1819, is a Neotropical nymphalid butterfly genus in the subfamily Charaxinae.

There are 61 species in the genus. All are Neotropical and the undersides of the wings closely resemble dead leaves. In the past Memphis was considered a subgenus of Anaea.

22-8-2021 SPACE MUSEUM, CUENCA - YELLOW ORANGE TIP BUTTERFLY (Ixias pyrene ssp. insignis)

A small white butterfly with obvious male and female dimorphism. The back of the body is dark brown and the belly is white. The back of the male butterfly's wings has a yellow background, and the top of the forewings is dark brown with orange stripes inside. There is a small dark brown spot at the end of the middle chamber. There is a row of dark brown spots along the outer edge of the hind wings, which expands into a broad dark brown band during high temperature periods. The background color of the ventral surface of the wings is yellow, and there are dark brown fine lines and small lines on the front half of the forewings and the wing surfaces of the hind wings. The dark brown markings on the back of the female butterfly's wings are similar to those of the male butterfly, but the other parts are white. The stripes on the ventral wings are similar to those of male butterflies, but the outer sides of the hind wings and forewings are yellowish white, and the rest of the wings are white. 

22-8-2021 SPACE MUSEUM, CUENCA - FLAMINGO LEAFWING BUTTERFLY (Fountainea ryphea)

The tribe Anaeini comprises of 87 neotropical species in the genera Coenophlebia, Consul, Anaea, Polygrapha, Memphis, Siderone, Fountainea and Zaretis. The butterflies are characterised by having a very rapid and strong flight. They have stout bodies, falcate wings, and on the upper surface are generally black, marked with bands of orange, bright red, or lustrous blue according to species. The undersides of all species in the Anaeini are cryptically patterned and bear a strong resemblance to the dead leaves, tree bark or boulders on which they settle.

The genus Fountainea comprises of 8 species, most of which are widely distributed throughout the neotropical region. The hindwings of most species have short tails, in both sexes, although in the males of ryphea and sosippus these are vestigial or absent.

In some races of Fountainea ryphea the males have a beautiful purple sheen across the wings, but this can only be seen from certain angles.

This species occurs in Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Costa Rica, Panama, Venezuela, Trinidad, Colombia, Guyana, Surinam, Ecuador, Brazil, Peru and Bolivia.

2-8-2021 SPACE MUSEUM, CUENCA - IBERIAN SOOTY COPPER BUTTERFLY (Lycaena bleusei)

Lycaena bleusei, the Iberian sooty copper, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae, subfamily Lycaeninae. It is found in Portugal and Spain, in Europe.

The wingspan is 28–30 mm (1.1–1.2 in). The butterfly flies from late March to November, depending on the location.

The larvae feed on Rumex acetosa, Rumex acetosella, Rumex crispus and other docks.

Populations of this species are found chiefly in central Spain and Central-northern Portugal, where the species is a specialist of meadows which tend to dry out during the summer, contrary to its sister species Lycaena tityrus

2-8-2021 SPACE MUSEUM, CUENCA - TIGER MOTH (Subfamily Arctiinae)

 

2-8-2021 SPACE MUSEUM, CUENCA - SOOTY COOPER BUTTERFLY (Lycaena tityrus)

 Lycaena tityrus, the sooty copper, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in Europe.

Subspecies

Lycaena tityrus tityrus (Poda, 1761) TL: Graz, Austria. Throughout Europe from Russia to central N. Spain.

Lycaena tityrus subalpina (Speyer, 1851) TL: Patscherkofel, Innsbruck, Austria. In the Alps at high altitudes.

Lycaena tityrus praebleusei Verity 1934 TL: Puerto de Pajares, Asturias, Spain. In NW. Iberia and W. France.

Lycaena bleusei (Oberthür, 1884) which has often been considered a subspecies of L. tityrus, has recently been confirmed as a species on its own according to genetics, wing-pattern variation, niche modelling and distribution.

The wingspan is 28–30 millimetres (1.1–1.2 in). The butterfly flies from April to October, depending on the location and subspecies (L. t. subalpina is univoltine in July).

The larvae feed on Rumex acetosa and Rumex acetosella.