''Ancyluris formosissima'' is a

butterfly Butterflies are insects in the macrolepidopteran clade Rhopalocera from the order Lepidoptera, which also includes moths. Adult butterflies have large, often brightly coloured wings, and conspicuous, fluttering flight. The group comprises ...

of the family

Riodinidae Riodinidae is the family of metalmark butterflies. The common name "metalmarks" refers to the small, metallic-looking spots commonly found on their wings. The 1532 species are placed in 146 genera. Although mostly Neotropical in distribution, t ...

Description

The

wingspan The wingspan (or just span) of a bird or an airplane is the distance from one wingtip to the other wingtip. For example, the Boeing 777–200 has a wingspan of , and a wandering albatross (''Diomedea exulans'') caught in 1965 had a wingspan ...

of ''Ancyluris formosissima'' is about . The upper sides of the forewings are dark brown with a blue-green band, while the base is white and brown. The hind wings are white, pink and brown, with a brilliant blue-green marginal band and a small red area. At the edge of the hind wings there is a short tail. In South America, this butterfly is called a "living treasure" (the Latin name ''formosissima'' of this species, means “very beautiful”) and it is also called the Italian flag butterfly. It flies in August and September.

Distribution

This species is present in tropical rainforests forests of South America, mainly in

Ecuador Ecuador ( ; ; Quechuan languages, Quechua: ''Ikwayur''; Shuar language, Shuar: ''Ecuador'' or ''Ekuatur''), officially the Republic of Ecuador ( es, República del Ecuador, which literally translates as "Republic of the Equator"; Quechuan ...

Peru , image_flag = Flag of Peru.svg , image_coat = Escudo nacional del Perú.svg , other_symbol = Great Seal of the State , other_symbol_type = Seal (emblem), National seal , national_motto = "Fi ...

and

Bolivia , image_flag = Bandera de Bolivia (Estado).svg , flag_alt = Horizontal tricolor (red, yellow, and green from top to bottom) with the coat of arms of Bolivia in the center , flag_alt2 = 7 × 7 square p ...

. The subspecies ''Ancyluris formosissima venerabilis'' can be found at an elevation up to above sea level.

Subspecies

* ''Ancyluris formosissima formosissima'' (Hewitson, 1870) (Ecuador) * ''Ancyluris formosissima venerabilis'' Stichel, 1916 (Peru)

References

Funet

Lepidopterolog.ru

External links

Butterflies of Sangay National Park

Biolib

Riodinini Butterflies described in 1870 Riodinidae of South America Taxa named by William Chapman Hewitson {{Riodinidae-stub