Butterflies of Zihuatanejo

SUPERFAMILY PAPILIONOIDEA

-Subtribe Euptychiina

-Two-pupil Satyr (Vareuptychia themis)

The Two-pupil Satyr (Vareuptychia themis, formerly Cissia themis) is a small Neotropical butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It is a sibling species to the One-pupil Satyr (V. similis) and is famously difficult to distinguish from it without close inspection of the wing undersides. The wings are primarily a dull, earthy brown on the upperside. The underside is marked with a row of yellow-ringed black eyespots and two central dark brown lines. It typically inhabits drier forests, disturbed forest areas, and scrubby habitats.

Diet

It belongs to the subfamily Satyrinae, whose caterpillars generally feed on grasses and other monocotyledonous plants.
Adults commonly feed on rotting fruit, tree sap and other decaying organic material rather than relying primarily on flowers for nectar.

Range

Vareuptychia themis is a Central American and Mexican satyr occurring from western and southeastern Mexico through Nicaragua.
Guerrero is within its range, and the species occurs in the Zihua region.
The species is associated primarily with tropical regions of Mexico and Central America.

Habitat

It inhabits tropical dry forest, humid forest, woodland edges, clearings and secondary vegetation.
In the Zihua region, suitable habitat includes tropical dry forest, woodland and shaded vegetation along forest margins and streams.
Adults are generally encountered flying close to the ground or resting on vegetation in partially shaded areas. The genus is particularly associated with lowland forest habitats and dry-forest environments.

Description

A small to medium-sized satyr with predominantly brown wings and the subdued appearance typical of the Euptychiina.
The underside has contrasting bands and rows of small eyespots, including distinctive eyespots on the hindwing.
The upper surface is generally darker brown, with subtle variation in the amount and intensity of the markings.