Butterflies of Zihuatanejo

SUPERFAMILY PAPILIONOIDEA

-Subtribe Euptychiina

-Hook-lined Satyr (Taygetis uncinata)

The Hook-lined Satyr (Taygetis uncinata) is a species of brush-footed butterfly in the family Nymphalidae, known for its distinctive dark coloration and hook-shaped markings on the hindwings. The Hook-lined Satyr has dark brown wings that feature distinctive markings. The forewings are brown with a few subtle eye spots and a relatively smooth texture, while the hindwings are more striking.

Diet

The caterpillars feed on grasses in the family Poaceae.
Adults feed readily on fermenting fruit and may also visit decaying organic material.

Range

Taygetis uncinata is distributed from Mexico through Central America, reaching Nicaragua.
It is a primarily Mexican and Central American member of the genus and is well represented on the Pacific side of Mexico.
It occurs in western Mexico, including Jalisco and Oaxaca, and Guerrero falls within its range. It occurs in the Zihua region.

Habitat

It inhabits tropical and subtropical forest, particularly forest edges, clearings and areas with a grassy understory.
It can occur in both relatively moist forest and seasonally dry woodland.
Adults are often encountered close to the ground in shaded vegetation and are attracted to fermenting fruit, fungi and other decomposing material.

Description

A medium-sized brown satyr with a wingspan of roughly 45–55 mm.
The upper surface is predominantly dark brown, while the underside is more complexly patterned in shades of brown and grey.
The underside of the hindwing has several dark eyespots or rounded markings, with fine transverse lines that help break up the butterfly's outline when it rests among leaf litter.
The species is generally subdued in colour and strongly cryptic, typical of many Taygetis that spend much of their time in shaded forest.