Neotropical Butterflies

I have a series of photos coming up, possibly all the same species (possibly not).

This one on a building wall (in poor weather) next to garden area amidst agricultural land, just off Cali-Palmira road, June 2010.

Many thanks,

Guy

this may also be Eueides isabella, but maybe not. The black across the fw is different. Could you please send me this one, and some of your better Eueides isabella shots? If this is not isabella I'm not sure what it is.
I messed up on one of the other posts and said it was the same as your #2, what I meant was your other 3,4 and 5 are all isabella, but this one, 2, might be different. I think.
thanks,
k

Thanks, Kim.

There are a lot of Tigerwing shots, so give me some time to sort them out :-)

Guy

Highlight for Kim to check reference books :-)

Guy

I think this is a Danainae, same as monarchs. This is Lycorea halia, Tiger Mimic Queen. Was it big? It should have been quite a bit bigger than other tigerwings.
thanks,
k

Sorry to say that I don't recall. Judging size would be difficult anyway, as this one was close-up on a building wall and all the others were at various (not so close) ranges on a flowering/fruiting shrub.

I shall take a look at your (and others') Tiger Mimic Queen images.

Many thanks,

Guy

Hi again, Kim.

Looking at the images of the tiger mimic, Isabella's Longwing (the species you identified from other images) and other longwings and tigerwings on your gallery, I can see that the mimicry is impressive. A couple of questions come to mind:

1. Is the U-shaped under-hindwing black stripe with red-orange centre diagnostic for the mimic queen?

2. (For future reference) Is a white-spotted black head and thorax diagnostic for Danaids?

Many thanks again,

Guy

1) no, other ithomiinae can show a black u on the hw, but size can be a big help.
2) I think you're right on the black and white spotted head/thorax showing for danaids.
these tigerwings are one of the tougher groups in the nymphalids, they can be in at least 3 different subfamilies, then riodinids can be in the mix as well.
k

Thanks, Kim.

I shall check through the gallery of riodinids in due course :-)

Guy