METHONA CONFUSA |
BUTTERFLIES OF THE INNER GRAND CANYON CLICK FOR DOWNLOAD PDF --------------------------------- Classification Phylum Arthropoda Class Insecta Order Lepidoptera Family Nymphalidae Subfamily Danainae Tribe Ithomiini Subtribe Mechanitini Genus Methona Species M. Confusa
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METHONA CONFUSA Methona confusa (Giant glasswing) is a species of clearwinged butterfly in the order Lepidoptera and in the family Nymphalidae.
It can be found in some Central and South American countries in regions with forests and mountains.
The Giant Glasswings, which have wingspans of about 90-100mm, include 7 species of Methona. All are very similar in appearance,
but can with care be distinguished from one another by playing close attention to the positioning of the black bars and white spots
on the upper wing surfaces.
The wings do not have nanostructures and thus are transparent and reflective.
It has black margins and black cross-bars on the forewings and the hindwings. Small white spots are present along the margin of the wing
on the underside of the wing while there are also white spots on the abdomen and the thorax.
Antennae are black with a yellow tip. M. confusa display Mullerian mimicry & Batesian mimicry through their wings.
This species can be found in Brazil, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, Venezuela, Bolivia, Argentina, and Colombia.
Specifically, M. confusa can be found in the Amazon basin.
The population of M. confusa has been declining which could be due to the predation during the larval stage from ants and birds.
During the pupal stage, they are impacted by parasitoid wasps (Eulophidae) and fungi.
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