More than 2200 species of the wild flora and fauna photographed in Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, Mexico and the surrounding area.
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Butterflies of Zihuatanejo
SUPERFAMILY PAPILIONOIDEA
-Arthropods (Phylum Arthropoda)
-Hexapods (Subphylum Hexapoda)
-Winged and Once-winged Insects (Subclass Pterygota)
-Butterflies and Moths (Order Lepidoptera)
-Butterflies (Superfamily Papilionoidea)
-Gossamer-winged Butterflies (Family Lycaenidae)
-Hairstreaks (Subfamily Theclinae)
-Subtribe Strymonina
-Dusky-blue Groundstreak (Calycopis isobeon)
Calycopis isobeon, commonly known as the Dusky-blue Groundstreak, is a small butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It belongs to the group of hairstreaks known as groundstreaks, which are often subtle in colour but richly patterned on the underside. The upper side of the wings is typically brown, sometimes with a faint bluish sheen near the base. The underside is more distinctive, showing soft gray to bluish tones with fine lines and delicate markings, along with small tail-like projections on the hindwings. Near these tails are tiny eyespots that can help misdirect predators toward the less vital wing edges. This species is found in Mexico and Central America, inhabiting forest edges, scrub, and open areas. It is often seen perching low on vegetation or near the ground, frequently with wings closed, making use of its cryptic underside for camouflage.
Diet
Adults feed on flower nectar and may also visit other sugary food sources.
The larval diet is unusual among butterflies. Caterpillars primarily consume dead leaves, fallen plant material, fruits, and other organic detritus rather than living foliage. They have even been successfully reared on a remarkably broad assortment of dead plant material and other organic matter.
This habit means that the species is often associated with leaf litter beneath trees, rather than being tied to a single living larval host plant.
Range
Calycopis isobeon ranges from Texas south through Mexico and Central America to Panama, with the broader Neotropical range extending into northern South America and Venezuela.
It is occasionally sighted in the Zihua area, particularly where dry tropical forest, woodland edges and leaf litter provide suitable habitat.
Habitat
The species is associated with subtropical and tropical lowland forest, forest edges, valley bottoms and disturbed woodland.
Because its caterpillars utilize dead vegetation and detritus, accumulations of leaf litter beneath trees may be particularly important.
In the Zihua region, suitable locations would include dry forest trails, woodland edges, stream valleys, gardens and lightly disturbed areas with plenty of leaf litter.
Description
The Dusky-blue Groundstreak is a small butterfly with a wingspan of approximately 22–32 mm.
The underside is predominantly grayish brown, crossed by fine lines and narrow reddish-orange markings.
Each hindwing has two small tails, a useful identification feature.
A distinctive eyespot occurs near the lower hindwing apex, combining black and orange. The reddish markings are generally narrower than those of the very similar Red-banded Hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops).
The upper surface is darker and bluish-brown, although the butterfly often keeps its wings closed while perched, making the intricate underside pattern more useful for identification.
Dusky-blue Groundstreak
Calycopis isobeon
