Seasonal Leafwing Butterfly

Zaretis ellops

Description:

Fairly large at about 2.5" x 1.75". This is very similar to a species found in Asia - Kallima inachus. Notice the two transparent holes on the wings.

Habitat:

Tropical dry forest in NW Costa Rica 7 weeks into the 6 month dry season

1 Species ID Suggestions

bayucca 12 years ago

Holey Leafwing

Zaretis ellops http://butterfliesofamerica.com/imagehtmls/Nymphalidae/Zaretis_ellops_Holey_LW_120203_D_NICARAGUA_041_LEHMAN_i.htm

19 Comments

LarryGraziano 11 years ago

One of my favorite images! I am sure glad you enjoyed it Mayra!!!

MayraSpringmann 11 years ago

Wow!!!! This is fantastic!!! Congrats!!

LarryGraziano 12 years ago

thanks Arushi and Leuba!

Leuba Ridgway 12 years ago

great spotting, ICN - such amazing creatures!!

ArushiMisra 12 years ago

awesome one. :)

LarryGraziano 12 years ago

thanks aldrin and jonathan!

LarryGraziano 12 years ago

Thanks Misako!

misako 12 years ago

Cool!

LarryGraziano 12 years ago

thanks bayucca, susan and nuwan!!!!!! I am glad you enjoyed the spotting.

NuwanChathuranga 12 years ago

great one !!!

SusanEllison 12 years ago

neat spot

bayucca 12 years ago

Definitely Zaretis sp., species is tricky since they are quite variable. It is not Itys, Callidryas has usually more a greenish appearence, and for Isidora it should have more frosty/whitish area on the hindwing. And then Ellops is left. So I think it might be Zaretis ellops. But I am not 100% sure.
http://butterfliesofamerica.com/imagehtm...
http://butterfliesofamerica.com/t/Zareti...