Archive for 'Biblidinae'

Gray Cracker (Hamadryas februa)

Gray Cracker (Hamadryas februa)

On a tree not far from the Cuiaba river in Porto Jofre I saw several species of crackers in the typical upside down posture. You rarely see them up close or on the ground, so sometimes a long lens is the only way to get a decent shot. The name cracker is based on the […]

Variable Cracker (Hamadryas feronia)

Variable Cracker (Hamadryas feronia)

On a tree not far from the Cuiaba river in Porto Jofre I saw several species of crackers in the typical upside down posture. You rarely see them up close or on the ground, so sometimes a long lens is the only way to get a decent shot. The name cracker is based on the […]

Starry Night Cracker (Hamadryas laodamia)

Starry Night Cracker (Hamadryas laodamia)

On a tree not far from the Cuiaba river in Porto Jofre I saw several species of crackers in the typical upside down posture. This however is my first of this particular species, and is a real beauty. You rarely see them up close or on the ground, so sometimes a long lens is the […]

Clymena Eighty-eight (Diaethria clymena)

Clymena Eighty-eight (Diaethria clymena peruviana)

One of several species diaethria found around Cristalino Jungle Lodge. This particular location is the “shipyard” of Cristalino Jungle Lodge (where the boats are taken on land), which was crowded with many different species.

Cynosura Eighty-eight (Callicore cynosura)

Cynosura Eighty-eight (Callicore cynosura)

Unfortunately I was unable to get a photo of the upperside of the wings (dorsal), but the ventral (underside) is good enough for now. When observing a butterfly “hotspot” like this location, there are so many individuals I assume is the same species, and it’s hard to keep track of where each individual is moving […]

Clymena Eighty-eight (Diaethria clymena marchallii)

Clymena Eighty-eight (Diaethria clymena marchallii)

I had a hard time identifying this one, as all the photos available showed narrower black bands and white at the confluence of the numbers in contrast to black on mine. It appears that all races of clymena have a considerable variation! Thanks to Adrian Hoskins for identification clarification.

Astarte Eighty-eight (Callicore astarte)

Astarte Eighty-eight (Callicore astarte)

Most focus on the underside of the wings, or ventral, but the dorsal (upperside) is in my eyes equally wonderful. The problem is of course that this is rarely displayed when stationary, so mostly luck or a large number of exposures can ensure a photo of the upper side. disturbed by my slow movements. This […]

False Numberwing (Paulogramma pyracmon)

False Numberwing (Paulogramma pyracmon)

Most focus on the underside of the wings, or ventral, but the dorsal (upperside) is in my eyes equally wonderful. The problem is of course that this is rarely displayed when stationary, so mostly luck or a large number of exposures can ensure a photo of the upper side. This particular location is the “shipyard” […]

Salpensa Sailor (Dynamine tithia salpensa)

Salpensa Sailor (Dynamine tithia salpensa)

There is a 9 km long trail (Poco Preto trail) from the main road that leads to the Iguaçu river, and for me it was butterfly heaven as I saw so many different species and in places also in groups. Thanks to Kim Garwood for identification.

Epinome Cracker (Hamadryas epinome)

Epinome Cracker (Hamadryas epinome)

This is the second member of the Hamadryas genus I saw here in Iguaçu National Park.

Candrena Eighty-eight (Diaethria candrena)

Candrena Eighty-eight (Diaethria candrena)

Yet another of the numberwings sucking human salt off the railings alongside the trails down Iguaçu Falls

Red Cracker (Hamadryas amphinome)

Red Cracker (Hamadryas amphinome)

Alongside the trails leading down to the Devil’s Throat of Iguaçu Falls I saw several species of butterflies I have not seen before, and this one was the only one of this species during my three days here. Common to all butterflies was the tempting human salt left from sweaty palms on the railings and […]

Hydaspes Eighty-eight (Callicore hydaspes)

Hydaspes Eighty-eight (Callicore hydaspes)

When you first see a numberwing butterfly or eighty-eights, you are oblivious to the intricacies of the way the number is the patterns are, and think you see the same species all the time. But not so! I saw three species alongside the Iguaçu Falls trails on the Brazilian side and this is the first […]

False Numberwing (Paulogramma pyracmon)

False Numberwing (Paulogramma pyracmon)

This is the third of the numberwings I observed around Iguaçu Falls on the Brazilian side. This one also busy licking salt from all the sweaty human hands sliding down the railings.

Amazon Cracker (Hamadryas chlöe)

Amazon Cracker (Hamadryas chlöe)

A very short encounter while my guides used chainsaws to clear fallen trees off the dirt road on our way to the base camp. The crackers are sometimes sitting so high on trees you need a telephoto lens to capture them – this one was briefly sitting low on this trunk – time enough for […]

Tomato (Temenis laothoe)

Orange Banner (Temenis laothoe)

Noel Kempff Mercado National Park has the river Paraguá as a natural border in the west, and on the shores of the river you’ll see a large number of insect species, including butterflies. So even though the community of Florida is cattle land, and typically has human waste of different categories, the proximity to the […]

Godart's Numberwing (Catagramma pygas)

Godart’s Numberwing (Catagramma pygas)

I only saw this once – at least with wings open. Most I saw of this species had their wings closed, thus I only saw the underside of the wing (ventral). Usually butterflies are rather dull colorwise on the underside, but this species caught my eyes due to their very colorful underside. Unfortunately I didn’t […]

Eurota Purplewing (Eunica eurota)

Eurota Purplewing (Eunica eurota)

One of many wonderful species alongside the river bank of the Napo Wildlife Center welcome center. Like many species also this one preferred to sit with wings closed, and thus blend in with the muddy shore. I noticed some blue in flight, but sitting it was not generous in opening its wings. It finally decided […]

Pygas Eighty-eight (Callicore pygas)

Pygas Eighty-eight (Callicore pygas)

Sitting on the outside of the Anangu Quichua Community’s souvenir hut – close to the welcome center. This is an opening in the dense jungle and is away from the river. Thanks to Kim Garwood for identification!