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The specific status of Euselasia satyroides Lathy, 1926, stat. rev., currently recognized as a synonym of Eurygona modesta Hewitson, 1856, is reinstated, and its immature stages, reared on Pouteria salicifolia (Sapotaceae), are thoroughly described and illustrated. The identity of some species of the genus Euselasia Hubner, [1819] belonging to the "Uriiformes" species group is clarified: lectotypes are designated to Eurygona eugeon Hewitson, 1856, Eurygona modesta Bates, 1868, Euselasia geon Seitz, 1913, and Euselasia satyroides Lathy, 1926, stat. rev.; Euselasia geon Seitz, 1913, syn. rev. is considered a synonym of Eurygona eugeon Hewitson, 1856. Additionally, a taxonomic dichotomous key for the species belonging to the "Uriiformes" group is provided.

Last instar larvae and pupae of Ourocnemis archytas (Lepidoptera: Riodinidae) are described for the first time and compared with those of Anteros formosus, which are also described in detail. Last instars of both species present body covered with long white plumose setae, a row of orange balloon setae on the prothoracic shield, and clusters of perforated cupola organs (PCOs) near the spiracles; differences are the black cephalic capsule, the placement and format of balloon setae cluster, and the presence of enlarged black tips on some plumose setae. Pupae of O. archytas resemble that of Anteros, covered with the last instar setae and with no balloon setae. Characteristics of the immature stages of these two genera could be useful to establish the still unresolved relationship between them. A summary of the host plants of Helicopini is presented, showing a polyphagous pattern for Anteros, recorded in 21 host plant families, which contrasts with the specialized diet observed in Helicopis and Sarota.

Two new species of Esthemopsis C. Felder & R. Felder, 1865 from southeastern and northeastern Brazil are described, Esthemopsis sateri sp. nov. and Esthemopsis diamantina sp. nov., and revised and new combinations are proposed for Esthemopsis teras (Stichel, 1910) stat. rev. and Esthemopsis pallida Lathy, 1932 stat. nov., respectively. Lectotypes are designated for Lepricornis teras Stichel, 1910 and Esthemopsis caerulea pallida Lathy, 1932. The habitus of male and female specimens of the species discussed are illustrated; male head and labial palpus pictures, male and female genitalia illustrations are provided.

A new species of Riodinidae, Pheles caatingensis Callaghan & Nobre, sp. nov. from Ceara and Pernambuco State in Brazil is described, along with its habitat, behavior and taxonomic differences with other members of the genus Pheles. Notes are included on distribution and mimetic relationships with other sympatric insects.

A new species of Riodinidae from the grasslands of South Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina, Aricoris schneideri sp. nov., is described.

The poorly known phenomenon of copula "inter mares" (a male insect copulating with another male) is reported in Pirascca sagaris satnius (Dalman, 1823) (Lepidoptera, Riodinidae, Riodininae).

Butterfly caterpillars produce calls that appear to play a role in maintaining symbiotic associations with ants. A survey of butterfly species from South and Central America, North America, Europe, Thailand, and Australia suggests that the ability for caterpillars to call has evolved independently at least three times, and that calling may be ubiquitous among ant-associated species. Because ants use substrate-borne sound in their communication systems, this study points to the possibility that the calls of one insect species have evolved to attract other, unrelated species.

A new species of gregarious endoparasitoid, Parapanteles echeriae Gupta, Pereira & Churi, sp. nov., bred from Abisara echeria Stoll (Lepidoptera: Riodinidae) on host plant Embelia sp. (Myrsinaceae), is described and illustrated from Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. Abisara echeria , commonly known as plum judy, is a small striking butterfly prevalent in Asia. This is the first ever record of a parasitic wasp associated with Abisara . Parapanteles echeriae is distinguished from P. sireeshaae Ahmad & Akhtar in having propodeum with areola 1.2´ as long as wide; anterior diagonal carina meeting anterior margin of propodeum in one half; veins r and 2RS of fore wing merging in a smooth curve; yellow coloured legs and tegulae brownish black. A key to the Indian species of Parapanteles is also provided.

A new species of Riodinidae, Euselasia oaxacensis Callaghan, Llorente-Bousquets & Luis-Martinez, sp. nov. from Oaxaca State in Mexico and Costa Rica is described, including its habitat, behavior and differences with other members of the eurypus group of the genus Euselasia. Notes are included in the taxonomic position, distribution and behavior of three other species of the eurypus group: Euselasia eurypus (Hewitson, 1856), Euselasia angulata (Bates, 1868); and Euselasia clesa (Hewitson, 1856).

A new species from southern Brazil, Stichelia catarinensis sp. nov., is described and lectotypes for Charis dukinfieldia Schaus, 1902 and Phaenochitonia bocchoris suavis Stichel, 1911 are designated. Phaenochitonia bocchoris suavis Stichel, 1911 syn. nov. is considered synonymous with Amarynthis bocchoris Hewitson, 1876. Two species groups are recognized: " cuneifascia " species group, including S. cuneifascia and S. catarinensis sp. nov., and " bocchoris " species group, including S. bocchoris , S. dukinfieldia and S. pelotensis . Additionally, a taxonomic dichotomous key and morphologic illustration for the species of the genus are provided.

This article concerns the designation of two lectotypes, Cariomothis elinas (Rebillard), n. stat., n. comb., and Chalodeta virida (Lathy), n. stat., n. comb. Also corrections are made concerning the figures in some of Rebillard' s plates. A list of the riodinid types currently in the collection of the MNHN is given., Cet article contient la désignation de deux lectotypes, Cariomothis elinas (Rebillard), n. stat., n. comb., et Chalodetta virida (Lathy), n. stat., n. comb. Quelques corrections sont faites sur les figures de Rebillard. Une liste des types de Riodinidae actuellement au MNHN est donnée., Callaghan C. Les types des Riodinidae du Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle à Paris (Lepidoptera, Rhopalocera). In: Bulletin de la Société entomologique de France, volume 100 (2), juin 1995. pp. 153-155.

We report the first records of Semomesia geminus (Fabricius, 1793) from Rio de Janeiro (RJ) and Pernambuco (PE) states, expanding the known species range (Bahia-BA, Espírito Santo-ES and Minas Gerais-MG states) 700 km further south and 1200 km north of typical localities in ES. The taxon was photographed twice in Reserva Ecológica de Guapiaçu (REGUA) and two additional RJ specimens have since been located in museum collections. A distribution map build upon specimens’ label data is presented and a much wider range extension revealed and discussed. Observations on its perching habits, with potential taxonomic significance, are supplied.

A new species of Riodinidae, Mesene jimena sp. nov., is described from the Pacific slope in southern Mexico, including notes on its habits, habitat and distribution. A comparison is made with its close relative, Mesene margaretta (A. White, 1843), found in southeastern Mexico (Atlantic slope) and Chiapas State. In addition to morphology, other criteria are discussed including behavior and related structures, spatial and temporal factors, comparison of distribution with areas of endemism and ecology. These factors were examined for the new taxon and found to confirm its status.

This paper provides the exact location of the first records from Brazil of Aricoris terias (Godman, 1903) and an updated geographic distributional map of the species, extending the known range of the species over 1300 km. This is also the first record of this species on a wet forest environment.

Entomophagy in the riodinid butterfly tribe Eurybiini is demonstrated for the first time. Alesa amesis caterpillars and adults possess behavioral and morphological traits for feeding on Homoptera nymphs, and oviposition by A. amesis females is mediated by the combined presence of Camponotus femoratus ants and homopteran nymphs. Caterpillars are entirely entomophagous, and do not eat plant tissues. Alesa amesis caterpillars have distinct behaviors for feeding on their prey, and for soliciting and drinking honeydew secretions from homopteran nymphs. The leg lengths of entomophagous Alesa caterpillars are shown to be longer than phytophagous relatives. The legs of Alesa are used for prey handling and soliciting honeydew secretions. We suggest that elongation of the thoracic legs has been a general consequence of entomophagy in butterfly caterpillars. This study clarifies our understanding of A. amesis and its interactions with multiple species, and points to behavioral and morphological traits impor...

The first fossil member of the family Nymphalidae (Lepidoptera) in Dominican amber and the first fossil nymphalid caterpillar is placed near the genus Smyrna of the tribe Coloburini (Nymphalinae) on the basis of the morphology, position and arrangement of its spines. The larva is regarded as prototypic ancestor near the Pycina-Vanessa lineage and its closest descendants probably occur in Central and South America, thus illustrating yet another case of disjunct distribution in the Dominican amber fauna. This represents the second family of butterflies reported from Dominican amber (previously only the Riodinidae). A summary of the confirmed cases of fossil Nymphalidae is presented.

We studied a population of the riodinid butterfly, Eurybia elvina Stichel, in the state of Veracruz, Mexico. The relationship of the larvae and pupae with ants was documented and the previously unknown immature stages were described. All five instars bear a pair of tentacle nectary organs that produce an exudate harvested by ants which is similar to the ant-attracting extrafloral nectar produced by the host plant, Calathea ovandensis . Larvae live cryptically on the inflorescences and feed on buds, flowers, and young fruits. Development from egg to adult took ca. 45 d. Although it is clear that immature E. elvina exhibit special adaptations for living with ants, the benefits they derive from the association are still unknown.

This study examined a complex interaction among species, focused on (1) a neotropical perennial plant, Calathea ovandensis (Marantaceae), that produces extrafloral nectar, (2) ants that visit the nectaries, (3) an ant-tended specialist herbivore, Eurybia elvina (Lepidoptera: Riodinidae), that feeds on buds, flowers, and fruits, and (4) other herbivores of reproductive tissues. We experimentally investigated: (1) to what extent seed production was influenced by ants and herbivores, and (2) whether spatial variation in seed production was influenced by spatial variation in the ant community. The lowest seed production (x = 6) was for inflorescences with Eurybia but without ants. Highest seed production (x = 21) was for inflorescences with ants, but without Eurybia. In the presence of ants, Eurybia lowered mean seed production by 33%. In the absence of ants, Eurybia lowered mean seed production by 66%. The eight ant species differed greatly in the magnitude of their beneficial effects on seed production. Ants were not equally distributed over sites, and spatial heterogeneity in seed production by Calathea reflected differences in ant communities among sites. We conclude that variation and interdependence of various components of plant-animal interactions are likely to result in variation in the magnitude of their beneficial or detrimental impact on plants. Such variation should be incorporated into plant demographic models as spatially varying alternate life history paths to yield insight into the evolutionary impact of plant-animal interactions.

The foreleg tibial epiphyses of Lepidoptera are used to clean the antennae Jander 1966, ODe!! et al. 1982 and included references. Among butterflies, the skippers Hesperiidae and swallowtails Papilionidae possess a tibial epiphysis Evans 1949, Ehrlich 1958, but other butterfly families do not. The absence of a tibial epiphysis in these families raises the question of how they clean their antennae. Jander1966 addressed this question and reported three kinds of cleaning behavior in butterflies. Hesperiids use their foreleg tibial epiphyses to comb antennae. Lycaenids and most nymphalids pull each antenna between a midleg tibia and femur. Satyrine nymphal ids clean antennae by sliding each against a midleg tarsus as they walk. Jander did not mention any special structures for cleaning antennae besides the tibial epiphysis. There is a hypothesized correlation between Jander's behavioral observations and midleg morphology in lycaenids, riodinids, liby theids, and nymphalids. Eliot 1973 reported that there are scale "brushes" on the midleg tibia and femur of virtually all lycaenids, that the function of these brushes is unknown, and that the brushes allow the midleg to be distinguished from the hindleg. Sorensen 1980 hypothesized that the midleg brushes are used by lycaenids to clean the antennae. Scott 1985 accepted this hypothesis, noted that Ehrlich 1958 had discovered a midleg tibial brush in the monarch Danaus plexippus Linnaeus, a danaiine nymphalid, and reported that similar brushes occur in many riodinids and nymphalids. The behavior of cleaning the antennae with the legs has been used in determining phylogenetic relations among the butterfly families. Kristensen 1976 proposed that the Nymphalidae including Liby theidae and Lycaenidae including Riodinidae form a monophy letie lineage, in part because both families use the midleg for

The neotropical riodinid butterfly Sarota gyas is shown to utilize non-nitrogen fixing epiphylls as larval hostplants. The host substrate where the epiphylls grow appears unimportant to oviposition by adults or feeding by larvae. The larva of S. gyas is described and the use of long setae as a defense by amymecophilous riodinids is discussed.

Observations and experiments are presented on the use of larval ant-organs by the riodinid butterfly Thisbe irenea with emphasis on their function in myrmecophily. The results indicate that each ant organ plays a distinct role in larval-ant association and that all influence the behaviour of attending ants. Interpretations of the roles that lycaenid larval organs play in ant associations are evaluated and discussed in light of myrmecophilous riodinids. Finally, an ‘enticement and binding’ process, involving the concerted use of the larval organs, is proposed as the behavioural mechanism that 7. irenea and other riodinid larvae use to secure the attentions of individual ants for extended periods of time.

Anatole rossi Clench, a recently discovered, myrmecophilous metalmark, is known at present only from a small, isolated section of pine forest in the Sierra Tuxtla of southern Veracruz, Mexico. The 3 distinctive structures associated with the myrmecophilous existence of the late-instar larvae are discussed. During the summer months, the formicine ant Componotus abdominalis F. constructs small, shallow pens at the bases of the larval food plant, Croton repens (Euphorbiaceae), and the caterpillars remain in these pens during the daylight hours. At dusk, both ants and caterpillars ascend the plants, where the latter feed during the night but return to the pens before dawn. During the cool winter period, the ants convert the pens into deep tunnels. The last-instar larvae enter a semidiapause and remain rather quiescent for approximately 3 months. Pupation takes place in the pens and tunnels, with the ants remaining in attendance until a few days prior to emergence of the adult butterflies. These subterranean enclosures seem important to the biology of this butterfly, as they are thought to (1) protect the caterpillars from predatory ants, particularly the ponerine Ectatoma tuberculatum (Olivier); (2) carry the species through the winter season, when the adults are killed by even brief cool periods; and (3) protect the caterpillars from the annual fires that are set by the local Indians to clear the pine lands of underbrush. The biology of the adults is discussed, with special emphasis on the effects of fire and man. It is thought that fire (probably man caused) is responsible for the existence of the pine forests. These frequent fires appear to have influenced the growth pattern of the host plant and thus, indirectly, to have affected the evolution of the butterfly.

3 Corresponding author Abstract Four new riodinid taxa from Mexico are described as follows: Euselasia pontasis sp. nov., Euselasia aurantiacus aurum ssp. nov., Exoplisia azuleja sp. nov., Synargis nymphidioides septentrionalis ssp. nov. The status of Necyria larunda Godman & Salvin, 1885, is reviewed. Habitats and distributional ranges are described for each taxon.

An assessment of the anatomical costs of extremely long proboscid mouthparts can contribute to the understanding of the evolution of form and function in the context of insect feeding behaviour. An integrative analysis of expenses relating to an exceptionally long proboscis in butterflies includes all organs involved in fluid feeding, such as the proboscis plus its musculature, sensilla, and food canal, as well as organs for proboscis movements and the suction pump for fluid uptake. In the present study, we report a morphometric comparison of derived long-tongued (proboscis approximately twice as long as the body) and short-tongued Riodinidae (proboscis half as long as the body), which reveals the non-linear scaling relationships of an extremely long proboscis. We found no elongation of the tip region, low numbers of proboscis sensilla, short sensilla styloconica, and no increase of galeal musculature in relation to galeal volume, but a larger food canal, as well as larger head musculature in relation to the head capsule. The results indicate the relatively low extra expense on the proboscis musculature and sensilla equipment but significant anatomical costs, such as reinforced haemolymph and suction pump musculature, as well as thick cuticular proboscis walls, which are functionally related to feeding performance in species possessing an extremely long proboscis. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2013, 110, 291–304.

Understanding the variations in the rate of molecular evolution among lineages may provide clues on the processes that molded extant biodiversity. Here, we report the high rate of molecular evolution in Lycaenidae and Riodinidae compared to other families of butterflies (Papilionoidea). We assembled a phylogeny of butterflies using eight molecular markers and comprising 4891 species. We found that the rate of molecular evolution is higher in Lycaenidae and Riodinidae compared to the other families, but only the nuclear gene Wingless showed a marked difference, while Elongation factor 1-alpha showed a more moderate difference. In contrast, the gene Cytochrome Oxidase subunit 1 showed no difference between lycaenids as well as riodinids, and other butterflies. In parallel, we calculated the rates of diversification in all subfamilies of the Papilionoidea using the method-of-moments estimator for stem-group ages, which does not require a fully solved phylogeny for the target clades. We found that the Nemeobiinae and Lycaeninae, from the Riodinidae and Lycaenidae families, respectively, had the highest rate of diversification among all subfamilies. Among the life-history traits that could explain differences in molecular evolution and diversification rate, lycaenids display mutualistic or antagonistic interactions with ants, a higher level of host plant specialization and reduced dispersal abilities compared to other butterfly families. Since the current study is limited by the unique event of apparition of myrmecophily analyzed, the relationship with traits cannot be evaluated statistically. Future studies should measure myrmecophily and dispersal abilities quantitatively across a more detailed phylogeny of lycaenids to test for an association between shifts in the strength of mutualism, rates of molecular evolution and the diversification of lineages.

Chromosome numbers and karyotypic observations are reported for 27 species of neotropical Lepidoptera in 8 families (Satyridae, Ithomiidae, Nymphalidae, Papilionidae, Pieridae, Lycaenidae, Riodinidae, and Hesperiidae). Characteristic haploid numbers for certain genera are found: Parides (N=30 or 31), Phoebis (N=31), Eurema (N=28, 29, 30, or 31), Dynamine (N=29 or 30), Mestra (N=31 or 33), Anartia (N=31) and Agraulis (N=31). Two genera showing widely varying chromosome numbers are Heliconius (N=19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 33, 38, and 56) and Mechanitis with (N=16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 24). The butterflies in these genera are involved in extensive mimicry complexes. The occurrence of fragmentation in Heliconius and AMechanitis may play a role in promoting ease of genetic recombination, which in turn could increase the diversity of phenotypes in the population and influence effects of natural selection. THE ISLANDS OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 10 miles off the east coast of Venezuela, provide a varied series of tropical lowland and montane habitats for some 617 species of butterflies (Barcant 1970). Numerous studies on the behavior and genetics of several lepidopteran groups have been carried out at the Arima Station of New York Zoological Society (e.g., Crane 1955). However, little information is available on the karyotypes of these species. De Lesse (1967, 1970) has published chromosome counts on species from Central America and northern South America, which include a few subspecies of species also found on the islands of Trinidad and Tobago. Suomalainen et al. (1972) give haploid numbers for 14 heliconiine butterflies found in Trinidad. The purpose of this paper is to report chromosome numbers and karyotypic observations for 27 species of eight butterfly families (Satyridae, Ithomiidae, Nymphalidae, Papilionidae, Pieridae, Lycaenidae, Riodinidae, and Hesperiidae) from Trinidad and Tobago. MATERIALS AND METHODS All material studied in this report was collected by the authors on the islands of Trinidad and Tobago during the month of September 1970. Testes of live, wild-caught males were removed with fine dissecting forceps and fixed in vials containing 3:1 alcohol:acetic acid (Emmel 1969). Upon returning from the field the vials containing the testes were stored at -20?F until processing in the Gainesville laboratory. For microscopic observation, testes were stained with lacto-aceto-orcein, and squashed under a press until the testicular material was approximately one cell layer thick. Preparations were examined with a Carl Zeiss Research Microscope Standard WL fitted with 25x, 40x, and 1OOx planapochromatic flatfield objectives and automatic camera (refer to Emmel 1969 for further details). All uniformly spread metaphase plates of each individual were counted in order to verify the count and determine any variance within a particular specimen. Additional observations were made under phase contrast using a Watson Photoautomatic Phase Contrast Microscope Hilux 70 pH fitted with 40x Planpara and 90x Fluorite phase contrast objectives and automatic camera. It may be noted that many examined specimens lacked dividing cells. In some species, spermatogenesis may be largely completed in most of the individuals at the time of eclosion, therefore making it difficult to observe divisions in a wild-caught adult unless caught and preserved immediately upon emergence. Alternately, some of the butterflies of these islands may be seasonal in gamete production. Heliconius, for instance, are known to have a life span of up to six months (Benson 1972; Benson and Emmel 1973; Ehrlich and Gilbert 1973). It would be possible, therefore, that certain species were not undergoing meiotic divisions at the time of capture since collections were made only in the middle of the wet season.