Hypanartia

Hübner, 1821

mapwings

Species Guides

Hypanartia lethe(Orange Mapwing)

Hypanartia is a of medium-sized nymphaline butterflies commonly known as mapwings, distributed from Mexico through South America. The genus comprises approximately 14 with its center of diversity in high Andean cloud forest . Phylogenetic studies indicate a possible sister relationship with temperate genera including Polygonia, Aglais, and Nymphalis. The genus has been subject to recent taxonomic revision, with several new species described from Andean localities.

Hypanartia lethe dorsal by Lsadonkey. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Brasil-Parana State-Hypanartia Lethe-Iguasu Falls Aréa (10022450044) by dany13 from Paris, France. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Hypanartia lethe ventral by Lsadonkey. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Hypanartia: /hɪˌpænˈɑːrtiə/

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Identification

Members of Hypanartia can be distinguished from related by genitalic and wing pattern characteristics, though specific diagnostic features vary by . The genus shares general nymphaline characteristics including reduced forelegs. Detailed identification requires examination of male genitalia and abdominal morphology.

Images

Habitat

Montane in the Neotropical region, particularly high Andean cloud forests. The center of occurs in Andean elevations, with some exhibiting elevational distribution patterns.

Distribution

Mexico to South America, with emphasis on Andean distributions throughout the Neotropical region.

Host Associations

Fabaceae - larval plantFirst recorded plant for the , representing a new association for both Hypanartia and the Neotropical Nymphalinae

Similar Taxa

PolygoniaPossible sister based on morphological and molecular phylogenetic data; both share temperate ancestry and wing pattern elements
AglaisPossible sister ; temperate genus with similar phylogenetic affinities
NymphalisPossible sister ; temperate genus with similar phylogenetic affinities

More Details

Speciation Mechanisms

Phylogenetic studies provide evidence that speciation across elevational gradients occurred twice in the , both times into elevations largely unoccupied by Hypanartia, followed by subsequent in situ radiation. Differentiation in allopatry between montane regions appears to have been of recent influence only.

Taxonomic History

Recent systematic revision described four new (H. celestia, H. cinderella, H. fassli, H. trimaculata) and two new (H. dione disjuncta, H. trimaculata autumna), placed H. arcaei as a subspecies of H. dione, and designated lectotypes for eight nominal .