Junonia neildi

Brévignon, 2004

West Indian Mangrove Buckeye

Junonia neildi, the West Indian Mangrove Buckeye, is a in the Nymphalidae. It was elevated from status under Junonia genoveva to full species rank in 2004. The species occurs in coastal regions of the southeastern United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean. It is one of three Junonia species currently documented in Florida, alongside J. coenia and J. zonalis.

Junonia neildi by leppyone. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.Junonia neildi 58667391 by Don Loarie. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.Junonia neildi P1380040a by xpda. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Junonia neildi: //dʒuːˈnoʊniə ˈniːldi//

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Identification

Distinguished from the closely related Junonia genoveva, which occurs primarily in South and Central America, by geographic range and subtle wing pattern differences. Within its range, it may be confused with Junonia coenia (Common Buckeye) and Junonia zonalis (Mangrove Buckeye), though precise diagnostic characters require examination of wing pattern elements and genitalia. J. n. varia from south Texas shows regional variation in pattern expression.

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Habitat

Associated with coastal and mangrove environments, as suggested by its . Occurs in Florida, south Texas, Mexico, and Caribbean islands where suitable plants and nectar sources are available.

Distribution

Found in Florida, south Texas, Mexico, and the Caribbean. The Junonia neildi varia is restricted to south Texas. After the taxonomic split from J. genoveva, the latter is now considered primarily South and Central American in distribution.

Similar Taxa

  • Junonia genovevaFormerly treated as ; now recognized as a distinct primarily distributed in South and Central America rather than the Caribbean and southern United States.
  • Junonia coeniaCo-occurs in Florida; both share the buckeye and similar wing patterns with eyespots, requiring careful examination for identification.
  • Junonia zonalisThe other Junonia currently found in Florida; also associated with coastal and potentially overlapping in range with J. neildi.

More Details

Taxonomic History

Elevated from of Junonia genoveva to full status by Brévignon in 2004 based on morphological and distributional evidence.

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