Melete

Swainson, 1831

Species Guides

1

Melete is a Neotropical of butterflies in the Pieridae. The genus was established by Swainson in 1831. in this genus are found in tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas. The genus Pieris melete, a cruciferous crop pest from China, is not congeneric with Melete and belongs to a different genus (Pieris).

Melete leucadia by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.Melete polyhymnia by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.Melete polyhymnia by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Melete: /ˈmɛlɛte/

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Images

Distribution

Neotropical region. GBIF records indicate presence in Rionegro, Colombia.

Similar Taxa

  • PierisPieris melete is a separate often confused due to shared specific epithet; Pieris is Palearctic, Melete is Neotropical
  • ItaballiaFormerly included now placed in Itaballia; both Neotropical Pieridae with similar

Misconceptions

The name 'Melete' has been mistakenly applied to Pieris melete, a Chinese Pieridae pest . This is a homonym confusion: Pieris melete is not a member of Melete. The genus Melete is strictly Neotropical, while Pieris melete is Palearctic.

Sources and further reading