Whitened Bluewing

Description:

The Blue Wave, Blue-banded Purplewing, Tropical Blue Wave, Whitened Bluewing, or Royal Blue (Myscelia cyaniris) is a butterfly of the Nymphalidae family. The length of the forewings reaches about 34–36 millimetres (1.3–1.4 in). The dorsal sides of the upperwings are bright blue with white transversal bands and white spots. The sapphire blue of the upper wings may appear black or neon blue depending on how the light is reflected. The under sides of the hind wings have a cryptic coloration as they are mottled with different shades of color, varying from gray to brown, while the under sides of the fore wings are black with white patches.

Habitat:

It is found in Central America and northern South America, from Mexico to Honduras, Costa Rica, Panama, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Peru. It is found from sea level to 700 m (2,300 ft) on the Atlantic slopes and is associated with rain forest habitats.

Notes:

Spotted in a tropical butterfly garden in S.E. France, on the French/Spanish border. Photo courtesy of Claire Chamberlin