Calephelis

Grote & Robinson, 1869

metalmarks, metalmark butterflies

Species Guides

Calephelis arizonensis(Arizona Metalmark)
Calephelis borealis(Northern Metalmark)
Calephelis muticum(Swamp Metalmark)
Calephelis nemesis(Fatal Metalmark)
Calephelis perditalis(Rounded Metalmark)
Calephelis rawsoni(Rawson's metalmark)
Calephelis virginiensis(little metalmark)
Calephelis wrighti(Wright's Metalmark)

Calephelis is a of metalmark butterflies in the Riodinidae, comprising 54 distributed across the Americas. Eleven species occur in the Nearctic region and 43 in the . The genus includes both widespread and highly localized species, with some like C. borealis being globally rare and declining due to loss.

Calephelis rawsoni by (c) Nick Block, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Nick Block. Used under a CC-BY license.

Calephelis muticum by (c) Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Calephelis: //kæˈlɛfəlɪs//

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

Images

Habitat

Woodland and ecotonal with open conditions; limestone soils in northeastern North America. Some occupy more arid regions in the southwestern USA and Mexico.

Distribution

Resident in the Americas from the northeastern and midwestern USA through Mexico, Central America, and South America to Argentina and Chile.

Diet

feed on nectar from sun-loving plants. Larvae feed on leaves of plants in Asteraceae, Ranunculaceae, Euphorbiaceae, and Bromeliaceae .

Life Cycle

laid singly on undersides of leaves. Larvae feed on plant foliage. occurs in leaf litter. emerge in mid to late summer.

Similar Taxa

ApodemiaBoth are Riodinidae metalmark with similar size and wing patterns; Apodemia often have more pronounced metallic markings on wings.
EmesisAnother Riodinidae metalmark with overlapping distribution in the Americas; Emesis typically shows more angular wing margins.