Diet

• The larval food plants are not well established, although caterpillars have been associated with plants in the soapberry family (Sapindaceae).

• Adults feed primarily on rotting fruit, tree sap and other decaying organic material rather than flower nectar.

• Males may also gather on damp soil and mud to obtain moisture and dissolved minerals.

Range

• Myscelia cyananthe occurs from Mexico south into Guatemala, with its principal distribution in tropical and subtropical Mexico.

• In Mexico it is found on both Pacific and Atlantic slopes, including Guerrero. It occurs in the Zihua area, particularly in suitable dry-forest habitat.

Habitat

• The Blackened Bluewing is primarily associated with tropical dry forest and other seasonally dry woodland.

• It favours shaded areas, particularly forest edges, river valleys and vegetation close to water.

• Adults frequently settle on tree trunks and foliage, where their dark wings provide effective camouflage.

• It can be locally common in suitable habitat but is generally less widespread than some related bluewings.

Description

• This is a medium-sized butterfly with predominantly black wings crossed by striking iridescent blue to blue-violet bands.

• The forewing has a broad dark central area, while the blue markings are concentrated toward the basal and outer portions of the wing.

• The hindwing has a broad blue-violet band extending across the middle of the wing, accompanied by additional narrower blue markings toward the margin.

• The underside is much more subdued, being mainly brown with darker mottling and providing effective camouflage when the butterfly rests with its wings closed.

• Males and females can differ noticeably in their markings.