Silver-spotted
Guides
Dione juno
Juno Silverspot, Juno Longwing, Juno Heliconian
Dione juno is a heliconiine butterfly (subfamily Heliconiinae) distributed from the southern United States through Central and South America. The species is a significant agricultural pest of passion fruit (Passiflora spp.), particularly Passiflora edulis, where caterpillars can completely defoliate host plants at high population densities. Adults are characterized by orange and black dorsal wing patterns with distinctive silver spots on the ventral wing surfaces. The species has been extensively studied in Brazil and Central America for its role in agroecosystems and its diverse complex of natural enemies.
Epargyreus
Silverdrops, Flasher butterflies
Epargyreus is a genus of skipper butterflies in the family Hesperiidae, commonly known as silverdrops or flasher butterflies. The genus name derives from Greek argyros meaning 'silver,' referring to the characteristic white spot on the ventral hindwing. Species occur across the Nearctic and Neotropical realms, with the best-known species being Epargyreus clarus (silver-spotted skipper), which ranges from southern Canada through the United States to South America. Larvae construct distinctive leaf shelters using silk and are known for 'frass-shooting' behavior—expelling excrement up to 40 times their body length away from their shelters.