Bia decaerulea decaerulea Weymer

Penz, Carla M., Casagrande, Mirna M., Devries, Phil & Simonsen, Thomas J., 2017, Documenting diversity in the Amazonian butterfly genus Bia (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae), Zootaxa 4258 (3), pp. 201-237 : 213

Bia decaerulea decaerulea Weymer

( Figs 4 a–b, 10d, 11c, 12)

Diagnostic description. Defined by the following combination of characters: (1) MF DFW white apical ocelli medium-large. (2) MF DFW orange band somewhat diffuse, moderately wide (more than B. decaerulea pallida , less than B. decaerulea cayana ); orange scales broadly extended proximally along veins, often lining cross-veins at the distal edge of discal cell. (3) M DFW iridescent band generally absent, but the location of the band might be visible under the scope when the specimen is tilted (a sheen is visible near tornus), a faint blue color is sometimes present. F DFW blue iridescence well developed but variable; usually extended across the entire DC, diffuse anteriorly; usually visible at the CuA1-CuA2 intersection; below the discal cell, the iridescent area is wide but usually does not spread towards the tornus. (4) M DFW androconial scales on the CuA-CuA1-CuA2 intersection dark brown, matching scale color of surrounding area and intermingled with orange scales. (5) M DHW discal androconial pad dark brown, nearly black, always darker than associated hairpencil. (6) M DHW discal hairpencil dark brown, but lighter in color than discal androconial pad. (7) F VFW ripple pattern less dense than that of M, with the VFW postmedial area showing a more predominantly yellow color and with one or two pale markings sometimes present across DC.

Distribution and examined specimens. Fig. 12 and Appendix.

Remarks. Some specimens from Guyana and Suriname (Appendix) seem to be intermediate between actorion and decaerulea (see explanation in actorion actorion subspecies account above).

Figures

FIGURE 4. Adults in dorsal and ventral views. Taxon names appear below each set. Bia decaerulea decaerulea: a, male, Brazil, Amazonas, Manacapuru (CMNH); b, female, same locality (CMNH). Bia decaerulea cayana, Simonsen & Penz, new ssp.: c, male holotype, French Guiana, Mana River (CMNH); d, male paratype, same locality (CMNH); e, male paratype, same locality (CMNH); f, female paratype, French Guiana, Oyapok River (CMNH). Bia decaerulea pallida Casagrande & Penz, new ssp: g, male holotype, Brazil, Amazonas, Barcelos, Rio Padauari (DZUP); h, female paratype, Brazil, Amazonas, Barcelos, Rio Padauari (DZUP).

FIGURE 12. Map showing collection localities of Bia species and subspecies (see Appendix). Some close localities are represented by one single dot. Dubious label data, localities that could not be accurately identified or were incomplete (e. g., Brazil, Pará) were not placed on map.