Tithorea tarricina, the tarricina longwing, variable presonian,[1] or cream-spotted tigerwing, is a species of butterfly belonging to the family Nymphalidae.
| Tithorea tarricina | |
|---|---|
| |
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Nymphalidae |
| Genus: | Tithorea |
| Species: | T. tarricina
|
| Binomial name | |
| Tithorea tarricina Hewitson, 1858
| |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Description edit
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 edit
This rare species is present in Mexico and in Central and South America.
Habitat edit
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 edit
The following subspecies are recognised:[2]
- T. t. bonita Haensch, 1903 (Ecuador, Peru)
- T. t. duenna Bates, 1864 (Mexico to Guatemala)
- T. t. franciscoi Brown, 1977 (Venezuela)
- T. t. hecalesina C. & R. Felder, 1865 (Colombia)
- T. t. lecromi Vitale & Rodriguez, 2004 (Colombia)
- T. t. parola Godman & Salvin, 1898 (Colombia)
- T. t. pinthias Godman & Salvin, 1878 (Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua)
- T. t. tagarma Hewitson, 1874 (Bolivia, Peru)
- T. t. tarricina Hewitson, 1858 (Colombia)
References edit
- ^ Glassberg, Jeffrey. (2007). A Swift Guide to Butterflies of Mexico and Central America. Sunstreak Books Inc. p.144.
- ^ "Tithorea Doubleday, [1847]" at Markku Savela's Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms
External links edit
 | This Danainae article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |