Ephyriades
Hübner, 1819
Ephyriades is a of in the , Pyrginae. The genus was established by in 1819. All are restricted to Central America and the Caribbean region. Several species are commonly referred to as duskywings due to their dark coloration.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Ephyriades: /ɛfɪˈraɪəˌdiːz/
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Identification
in this are distinguished from other Pyrginae by a combination of dark to blackish coloration, relatively body build, and geographic restriction to the Caribbean Basin and Central America. The genus is most readily separated from similar dark-winged by genitalic characters and specific wing pattern elements that vary by species.
Distribution
Central America and the Caribbean. Specific countries and islands include: Jamaica, Hispaniola, Dominica, and mainland regions from Mexico through Panama.
Similar Taxa
- UrbanusBoth contain dark-winged in Pyrginae, but Urbanus generally have more contrasting light markings and longer tails on the , and are distributed more broadly in the Neotropics including South America.
- StaphylusSimilar dark coloration and body form, but Staphylus are primarily South in distribution and differ in genitalic structure.
More Details
Etymology
The name Ephyriades was coined by Jacob in 1819. The etymology is not clearly documented in standard references.
Taxonomic History
The has remained relatively stable taxonomically, with assignments consistent across major modern catalogs. The species is Ephyriades zephodes (, 1825).