Adelpha Species

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 cytherea butterfly, peru

Cytherea sister

Peru

PC A1 £ 2.70

adelpha cytherea butterfly, verso, peru

verso

Adelpha delinita


adelpha delinita

delineated sister

Peru

PC A1 £ 2.70

adelpha delinita verso



Adelpha epione

adelpha epione butterfly, peru

white barred sister

Peru

PC A1 £ 2.50

adelpha epione, verso, peru

verso

Adelpha erotia

adelpha erotia

stitched sister

Peru

PC A1 £ 2.70

adelpha erotia verso



Adelpha iphiclus iphicleola

adelpha iphiclus iphicleola

Iphiclus pointed sister

PC A1 £ 3

adelpha iphiclus iphicleola verso



Adelpha jordani

adelpha jordani

Jordans sister

PC A1 £ 2.50

adelpha jordani verso



Adelpha lycorias lara

adelpha lycorias lara

Pink banded,rayed sister

Peru

w 55-60mm

m a1 £ 3

adelpha lycorias lara verso

verso

Adelpha mesentina

adelpha mesentina butterfly, peru

mesentina sister

Peru

A1 £ 2.90

adelpha mesentina verso, peru