Memphis (Anaea)

Species

There are about 60 species of these Neotropical butterflies ,whose underwings resemble dead leaves. Memphis species were previously catagorized as a subgenus of Anaea. They are medium sized butterflies with striking shapes and colours living at 500m-2000m. They are extremely fast flyers who rest high up on branches with their head facing downwards. Sometimes they adopt this position because they are imbibing secretions from the tree. They also feed of rotting fruit.

The third radial vein always arises distal to the fifth radial vein .

Depending on the species the sexes can be similar or dimorphic, tailed or tailless.

Identification can be difficult due to the variation of upper and underside patterns.

Hostplants include Piperaceae, Euphorbiaceae and Lauraceae.

The larvae are attacked by tachinid flies and chalcid wasps. The larvae protect themselves by rolling tubes and hiding inside.

Some species have a wide geographical range, whilst others may have very restricted ranges. They occur in all forests and tend to fly in the forest canopy. They feed on rotting fruit ,dung and carrion, and are fast flyers


Memphis (Anaea) acaudata

memphis acaudata

Memphis (Anaea) acaudata

Peru

w 50mm

m a1 £ 4.50

memphis acaudata verso

Memphis acaudata verso


memphis acaudata paralectotype

Memphis acaudata paralectotype

Peru

memphis acaudata paralectotype verso



Memphis (Anaea) acidalia

memphis acidalia

Memphis acidalia

Peru

w 60mm

m a1 £ 3.50

memphia acidalia verso

Memphis acidalia verso


Memphis (Anaea) arginussa

memphis arginussa

Mottled leafwing

Peru

w 50mm

m a1£ 3.60

memphis arginussa verso

Memphis arginussa verso


Memphis (Anaea) cerelia


memphis cerelia

Memphis cerelia

Peru

w

m a1 £ 6

memphis cerelia verso

Memphis cerelia verso


Memphis eurypyle

Pointed leafwing


verso


Memphis (Anaea) lineata

memphis lineata

Memphis lineata

Peru

w 60mm

m a1 £3.50

memphis lineata verso

Memphis lineata verso


Memphis (Anaea) moruus morpheus

memphis moruus morpheus

Memphis moruus morpheus

Peru

w 50mm

m a1 £ 2.75

memphis moruus morpheus verso

Memphis moruus morpheus verso


Memphis oenomais

memphis oenomais

boisduval's leafwing

w 50mm

m a1 £ 4.50

memphis oenomais verso

Memphis oenomais verso


Memphis (Anaea) philumena

memphis philumena

Orange striped leafwing

Peru

w 60mm

m a1 £3

memphis philumena verso

Memphis philumena verso


Memphis philumena xenica

memphis philumena xenica


Mexico

M A1 £ 20

memphis philumena xenica verso



memphis philumena xenica female


F A1 22

memphis philumena xenica verso female



Memphis (Anaea) polycarmes

memphis polycarmes

Memphis polycarmes

Peru

w 55mm

m A1 £3.50


memphis polycarmes verso

Memphis polycarmes verso

Memphis (Anaea) polyxo

memphis polyxo

Memphis polyxo

Peru

w 60mm

m A1 £7

memphis polyxo verso

Memphis polyxo verso


Memphis (Anaea) xenocles

memphis xenocles

Westwood's corner spotted leafwing

Peru

w 50mm

m a1 £ 3

memphis xenocles verso


Underwing pattern can be very variable

memphis xenocrates


Peru

M A1 £ 4

memphis xenocrates verso



Memphis xenocrates