Metalmark Butterflies of Zihuatanejo

GENUS THEOPE

• Animals (Kingdom Animalia)

• Arthropods (Phylum Arthropoda)

• Hexapods (Subphylum Hexapoda)

• Insects (Class Insecta)

• Butterflies and Moths (Order Lepidoptera)

• Butterflies (Superfamily Papilionoidea)

• Metalmark Butterflies (Family Riodinidae)

• True Metalmarks (Subfamily Riodininae)

• Tribe Nymphidiini

• Genus Theope

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Genus Theope is a genus of Neotropical metalmark butterflies in the family Riodinidae, distributed from Mexico through Central America and into South America. These small to medium-sized butterflies are often recognized by their dark brown or black wings marked with brilliant metallic blue, purple, or iridescent patches that can flash vividly in sunlight. Most species inhabit tropical forests, forest edges, and woodland habitats, where adults typically fly in the canopy or along sunlit clearings and may feed on nectar, sap, or other nutrient sources. 

THEOPE METALMARK BUTTERFLIES - SPECIES