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Project Noah Nature School
Hypocysta sp.
This is most likely the Common Brown Ringlet (Hypocysta metirius), a Satyrini species found along the east coast of Australia. However this species normally shows two eyespots on the underside of the hindwings, while this specimen shows a third one partially fused with the second one as well as a small fourth separate one. None of the other Hypocysta sp. for which I have information seem to fit. Subspecies or sexual dysmorphism or… ? Feedback appreciated!
Spotted in the garden of a bush property surrounded by mixed eucalypt/kunzea forest.
The wingspan was about 30 mm. Dorsal views of a second individual found nearby are shown in shots 2 and 3, which fit with Hypocysta metirius.
Spotted on Mar 8, 2012
Submitted on Apr 9, 2012
14 Comments
That's exciting martin! I'm travelling and in transit at the moment but as soon as I can I'll check this out! Your efforts with this are much appreciated.
Hold the presses! I've found another link to the similar ringlet H. pseudirius
http://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au... This pic has three ocelli like yours. With this new description I think this may be your man.
Here is an interesting aberrant butterfly.
http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/103...
Thanks martin! I still have to update this...
Here is another ringlet with multiple ocelli.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/12742129@N0...
Thank you so much for taking the time to provide all this information martin! These natural variations are fascinating to me. I will update accordingly!
Danielle, I have the Common & Waterhouse; Butterflies of Australia; P326 "Beneath...forewing with a minute ocellus near apex; (yours has two) hindwing ...two prominent ocelli...sometimes a small ocellus between them, subterminal line silver."
The small ocellus refers to the most central one, so the one you describe as partially fused is the anomaly. Can you also see a faint ocellus, (lacking black and gold rings) in the vacant cell before the most anterior of the two prominent ocelli?
I believe your ID is correct. Heteronympha, Geitoneura and Xenica usually have only two ocelli on the hindwing. Argyninna and Nesoxenica species have ocelli in more terminal cells. The genome contains the ability to fill all cells and has not been entirely lost. I doubt sexual dimorphism which seems to be limited to forewing shape. I suspect natural variation within this species (H. metirius) rather than a subspecies. Such variation is observed in the allied species below;
C&W P328. "H. pseudirius ...differs by its smaller size, paler color,...restricted orange area. The ocelli are smaller and there are sometimes additional minute ocelli beneath the hindwing."
I'm guessing H. metirius also is capable of such variation.
Thanks you martinl! To me these little guys can be made as interesting as any large swallowtail:-) Would you care to comment on the species ID? See my description; I have never seen a Common Brown Ringlet with this underwing eye pattern.
Thank you Satyen!
Hi chebeague3! You're in the US, right? Look at the map and the notes, and you will see that this is an Australian species. Also, this is a butterfly and not a moth. I know, a lot of moths are small and brown! The most obvious difference between them is in the antennae. Most butterflies have antennae which are club-shaped at the end. On the other hand moths often have feathery antennae which are unclubbed. I hope this helps!
Your careful photographs make these butterflies look spectacular, Daniele
Super shots Daniele! Loved the second one.
I see this moth all the time. glad to finally know what it is!
Thanks Atul!
lovely pic Daniele!