-Animals (Kingdom Animalia)

-Arthropods (Phylum Arthropoda)

-Hexapods (Subphylum Hexapoda)

-Insects (Class Insecta)

-Winged and Once-winged Insects (Subclass Pterygota)

-Butterflies and Moths (Order Lepidoptera)

-Butterflies (Superfamily Papilionoidea)

-Brush-footed Butterflies (Family Nymphalidae)

-Checkerspots, Anglewings, Peacocks, and Allies (Subfamily Nymphalinae)

-Checkerspots (Tribe Melitaeini)

-Genus Microtia

-Elf Butterfly (Microtia elva)

-Microtia elva ssp. elva

Microtia elva, commonly known as the Elf Butterfly, is a small brush-footed butterfly in the family Nymphalidae and the only species in its genus. It is characterized by dark brown to black wings marked with distinct orange patches. The wing shape is slightly elongated, and the underside is more muted and mottled, providing camouflage when the butterfly rests. This species occurs in Mexico, Central America, and parts of northern South America, where it inhabits open tropical habitats and forest edges. Adults exhibit a slow, patrolling flight, and males are often territorial.