There are over one hundred species in this genus, which are some of the commonest butterflies in the Neotropics. Their range is from Central America to Argentina and Paraguay, from 0 to 3000m. They have a characteristic colouration, wing shape and pattern. They are commonly known as 'the sisters' as the white bands are said to represent a nuns habit!

The group can be recognised by their brown upperside ground colour, forewing with subapical orange patch, and in a few species a medial white band that traverse both wings or just the hindwing. The only group they can be confused with is the Doxocopa, where some females look like white banded Adelpha.

It can be very difficult to identify the actual species as they often look so similar, so close attention must be paid to small spots, angles and colours. Other items to compare are, the shape of the hindwing medial band as it enters the torus, position and angle of the forewing band as it crosses the cell, and the configuration of the subapical spots

Adelpha cytherea

Adelpha delinita

Adelpha epione

Adelpha erotia

Adelpha iphiclus iphicleola

Adelpha jordani

Adelpha lycorias lara

Adelpha mesentina