Buckeyes

Junonia

Classification

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Junonia: //juːˈnoʊniə//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Gray Buckeye Butterfly Pine Gulch Marin CA 2018-09-26 12-26-17 (45673182622) by Bettina Arrigoni. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.
Junonia evarete verso 5 by LOPEZ André. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.
Junonia grisea by Claire Jones. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.
Gray buckeye butterfly - Oakland - California - Stierch by Sarah Stierch. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.
Junonia evarete evarete MHNT ventre by Didier Descouens. Used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license.
Junonia coenia by Lonniehuffman (talk)Lonnie Huffman. Used under a CC BY 3.0 license.

Summary

Junonia is a genus of nymphalid butterflies described by Jacob Hübner in 1819, commonly known as buckeyes. This genus is notable for its wide distribution and varied species. It includes around 30 to 35 species globally, with six recognized in North America.

Physical Characteristics

Medium to large butterflies with a wingspan of 40–110 mm. Ground colour ranges from brown to grey, often suffused with blue. Wing spots can be orange, blue, or pink, and come in various sizes. Males and females are similar, but females may have larger eye spots and a different pattern on hind wings. Males tend to have white antennae.

Identification Tips

Sex differences are noted, with females usually exhibiting better-defined light areas along the outer margin of the hind wings and larger eye spots. Males are more likely to have white antennae.

Distribution

Found on every continent except Antarctica and Europe. Six species are present in the United States: Junonia coenia, Junonia grisea, Junonia neildi, Junonia nigrosuffusa, Junonia stemosa, and Junonia zonalis.

Diet

The larvae feed on a wide variety of plants, primarily from families such as Verbenaceae, Plantaginaceae, Scrophulariaceae, Lamiaceae, and more.

Life Cycle

The larvae are stout with branched spines; pupae can be moderately angulated with raised tubercles.

Evolution

Recent phylogenetic and DNA research has elevated some subspecies to species rank and described new species. Species classification has been revised in recent treatments.

Similar Taxa

  • Kallima
  • Precis

Misconceptions

There has been confusion regarding the usage of the names Junonia genoveva and Junonia evarete, leading to inconsistent treatments in field guides.

Tags

  • butterflies
  • Nymphalidae
  • Junonia
  • Buckeyes
  • Lepidoptera