Butterflies of Zihuatanejo

SUPERFAMILY PAPILIONOIDEA

Calephelis is a genus of small, delicate butterflies known as metalmarks, belonging to the family Riodinidae. These butterflies are named for the subtle metallic sheen often visible on their wings, which can shimmer coppery or bronze in sunlight. Species of Calephelis are typically orange, rust, or reddish-brown, marked with fine dark lines and bands that create intricate patterns across the wings. These butterflies are found primarily in Mexico, Central America, and parts of the southern United States, where they inhabit forest edges, clearings, and brushy areas. They tend to fly low and slowly, often perching on leaves or the ground, and may return repeatedly to the same spot.

Diet

Adults: Feed primarily on flower nectar, often visiting small composite flowers and other low-growing plants.
Caterpillars: Most Calephelis species use plants in the sunflower family (Asteraceae).
Larvae are often remarkably inconspicuous, feeding on the undersides of leaves and sometimes leaving only characteristic translucent feeding windows in the foliage.

Range

Calephelis is a predominantly Neotropical genus, distributed throughout Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and South America, with several species extending into the southern United States.
Around Zihua, several species of Calephelis could potentially occur. The genus is best represented in warm, seasonally dry environments, although individual species have quite different distributions and habitat preferences.

Habitat

Depending on the species, Calephelis can inhabit tropical dry forest, thorn scrub, forest edges, clearings, stream margins, washes and other open woodland.
Many species are associated with particular host plants, so their distribution can be surprisingly localized even when apparently suitable habitat is widespread.
Around Zihua, dry-forest edges, arroyos, roadsides, thorn scrub and flowering patches would be good places to search.

Size