Butterflies of Zihuatanejo

SUPERFAMILY PAPILIONOIDEA

-Pacific Mangrove Buckeye (Junonia pacoma)

Junonia pacoma, commonly known as the Pacific Mangrove Buckeye, is a medium-sized butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It is part of the buckeye group, well known for their prominent eyespots (ocelli) on the wings. The upper side of the wings is typically brown to orange-brown, marked with bold eyespots ringed in black, blue, and yellow, which function to deter predators by mimicking the eyes of larger animals. The pattern can be quite striking when the butterfly is basking with wings open. The underside is more subdued, usually brown and mottled, providing camouflage when the butterfly rests with wings closed. This species is found along the Pacific coast of Mexico and Central America, especially in mangrove habitats, coastal areas, and open lowland environments. Adults are often seen perching on the ground or low vegetation, frequently basking in the sun and making short, quick flights.

Diet

The caterpillars feed primarily on black mangrove (Avicennia germinans), which is the principal larval food plant associated with the Pacific mangrove-feeding Junonia.
The larvae feed on mangrove foliage and are closely associated with coastal mangrove vegetation.
Adults feed on flower nectar and may also obtain nutrients from damp ground and other mineral-rich sources.

Range

Junonia pacoma occurs along the Pacific coast of Mexico, extending from northern Mexico southward through the Pacific coastal region.
It occurs in Guerrero and the Zihua area, where Pacific coastal mangrove habitat provides suitable conditions.

Habitat

The Pacific Mangrove Buckeye is strongly associated with coastal mangroves, particularly stands of black mangrove.
It occurs around mangrove swamps, coastal lagoons, estuaries and adjacent scrubby vegetation.
Adults may move beyond the immediate mangrove habitat while feeding, but the presence of mangrove vegetation is important for reproduction.

Description

Junonia pacoma is a medium-sized buckeye with a wingspan of roughly 50–60 mm.
The upper surface is predominantly dark brown with the characteristic large eyespots of Junonia. The hindwings have prominent orange- to pink-tinged patches surrounding the submarginal eyespots.
One useful feature is the absence of the anterior forewing eyespot that occurs in some closely related mangrove-feeding species.
The anterior dorsal hindwing eyespot is generally larger than the posterior one, and the antennae have a pale or cream-coloured shaft.
The underside is mottled brown and grey, providing effective camouflage among mangrove foliage and leaf litter.