Riodinidae

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Riodinidae
Image:Langesmetalmarkbutterfly91.jpg Lange's Metalmark Butterfly
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Lepidoptera Suborder: Ditrysia Infraorder: Rhopalocera Superfamily: Papilionoidea Family: Riodinidae Grote, 1895
Genera
Subfamily Euselasiinae Euselasia Hades Subfamily Riodininae Abisara Ancyluris Anteros Apodemia Baeotis Calephelis Calephilis Caliocasma Calosphila Calydna Caria Charis Emesis Esthemopsis Eurybia Hypophila Isapis Juditha Lasaia Lemonias Lepricornis Leucochimona Lyropteryx Melanis Mesene Mesosemia Napaea Nymphidium Pachythone Pandemos Perophthalma Rhetus Sarota Stalachtis Symmachia Theope Thisbe

The Riodinidae (or Metalmarks) are a family of butterflies. The common name Metalmark refers to the small metallic-looking spots commonly found on their wings. There are approximately 1,000 species of Metalmark butterflies in the world. The family is represented both in the New World and the Old World.

Contents 1 Taxonomy 2 Distinguishing Features 3 Classification 4 Life Cycle 4.1 Eggs 4.2 Larva 4.3 Pupa 5 Foodplants 6 References 7 See also 8 External links

Taxonomy

While some taxonomists treat Riodinidae as a distinct family within the superfamily Papilionoidea others treat them as a subfamily Riodininae of the Lycaenidae. Earlier they were considered to be part of the now defunct Family Erycinidae, which now has its species divided between this family and the subfamily Libytheinae. Another older name for the family is Nemeobiidae.

Distinguishing Features

Like the Lycaenids, the males of this family have reduced forelegs while the females have full-sized, fully functional forelegs. The foreleg of males, is often reduced and has a uniquely shaped first segment (the coxa) which extends beyond its joint with the second segment, rather than meeting it flush; They have a unique venation on the hindwing. The costa of the hind wing is thickened out to the humeral angle and the humeral vein is short.^[1] Most species perch on the undersides of leaves with the wings held open and completely flat.

Classification

The family Riodinidae comprises of two subfamilies. They are :

• Euselasiinae. Has two genera.
• Riodininae. Some 35 genera.

Life Cycle

Eggs

Eggs vary in shape but often appear round and flattened.

Larva

The caterpillars are usually hairy, plump, and are the common overwintering stage.

Pupa

Pupae are hairy and attached with silk to either the host plant or to ground debris or leaf litter. There is no cocoon.

Foodplants

The larvae feed on plants of the families Araceae, Asteraceae, Bromeliaceae, Bombacaceae, Cecropiaceae, Clusiaceae, Dilleniaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae, Lecythidaceae, Loranthaceae, Malpighiaceae, Marantaceae, Melastomataceae, Myrtaceae, Orchidaceae, Rubiaceae, Sapindaceae, Zingiberaceae as well as bryophytes and lichens.^[2]

References

1. ^ Borror, Donald J.,Triplehorn, Charles A.; Johnson, Norman F. Introduction to the Study of Insects, An (6th ed.)
2. ^ DeVries, P. J. in Levin, S. A. (ed.) 2001. Encyclopaedia of Biodiversity. Academic Press.

See also

• List of butterflies of India (Riodinidae)

Wikipedia information about Riodinidae This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Riodinidae". It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer). Help contribute to Americola and edit this article.