Metalmarks

Guides

• Calephelis

  metalmarks, metalmark butterflies

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

  LepidopteraRiodinidaemetalmarksNeotropicalNearcticbutterflieswoodland-speciesrare-speciesCalephelis-borealisconservation-concern

• Curvie

  Curvie is a genus of metalmark butterflies in the family Riodinidae. The genus includes at least one well-documented species, Curvie emesia (curve-winged metalmark), found in North America. The genus is part of the diverse Riodinidae family, commonly known as metalmarks due to the metallic spots often present on their wings.

  butterfliesmetalmarksRiodinidaeLepidopteraNorth-America

• Neoapodemia

  Neoapodemia is a subgenus of metalmark butterflies (family Riodinidae) within the genus Apodemia. Species in this subgenus are primarily found in western North America. The group is characterized by distinctive wing patterns and is associated with specific host plants in the buckwheat family (Polygonaceae). The subgenus was established based on morphological and ecological differences from other Apodemia groups.

  Riodinidaemetalmarkswestern-North-AmericaEriogonumbuckwheat-butterfliesaridland-butterfliesApodemia

• Riodinidae

  Metalmark Butterflies, Metalmarks

  Riodinidae is a family of butterflies commonly known as metalmarks, comprising approximately 1,532 species in 146 genera. The family is predominantly Neotropical in distribution but extends into the Nearctic, Palearctic, Australasian, Afrotropic, and Indomalayan realms. Members are distinguished by metallic spots on their wings, reduced male forelegs, and frequent myrmecophilous associations with ants. The family exhibits exceptional diversity in wing morphology and coloration, with extensive Batesian mimicry complexes documented in tropical species.

  butterfliesmetalmarksmyrmecophilymimicryNeotropicalLepidoptera

• Riodininae

  True Metalmarks

  Riodininae is the largest subfamily within the metalmark butterfly family Riodinidae, comprising the majority of species diversity in the family. The subfamily contains ten recognized tribes: Befrostiini, Calydnini, Dianesiini, Emesidini, Eurybiini, Helicopini, Nymphidiini, Riodinini, Sertaniini, and Symmachiini. Members are distinguished by forewing venation patterns, with some tribes possessing five forewing radial veins and others four. The subfamily has undergone recent phylogenetic revision based on morphological and molecular data.

  metalmarksbutterfliesNeotropicalRiodinidae