Bia actorion actorion (Linnaeus)

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 : 208-209

Bia actorion actorion (Linnaeus)

( Figs 3 a–b, 10a, 11a–b, 12)

Diagnostic description. Defined by the following combination of characters: (1) MF DFW white apical ocelli medium-large, large in some specimens ( Guyana, CMNH). (2) MF DFW orange band varies from thin ( Venezuela, Alto Orinoco) to medium-wide; orange scales extended proximally along veins, including the anterior tip of discal cell in some specimens (variable within localities). (3) M DFW iridescent band from anal margin to approximately half of the CuA2 cell (one specimen from Venezuela with DFW iridescence clearly reaching CuA2); 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 and it spreads towards the tornus. (4) M DFW androconial organ on the CuA-CuA1-CuA2 intersection dark brown, matching scale color of surrounding area. (5) M DHW discal androconial pad nearly black and darker than associated hairpencil. (6) M DHW discal hairpencil dark brown. (7) F VFW ripple pattern of the postmedial area slightly less dense than that of M.

Distribution and examined specimens. Fig. 12 and Appendix.

Remarks. Some male specimens from Guyana and Suriname (Appendix) seem to be intermediate between actorion and decaerulea by having a wide dorsal forewing orange band and iridescent band markedly smaller than the typical actorion ( Fig. 3 g, h). Some specimens may have a somewhat truncated valva tip, which is more commonly found in decaerulea . Investigating the possibility of hybridization between these taxa would be worthwhile.

Figures

FIGURE 3. Adults in dorsal and ventral views. Taxon names appear below each set. Bia actorion actorion: a, male, Guyana, Kartabo (CMNH); b, female, Guyana, Two Hat Mountain, E Kanukus S Rupununi (USNM). Bia actorion ecuatoria DeVries & Penz, new ssp.: c, male holotype, Ecuador, Sucumbios, Garza Cocha (PJD); d, female paratype, Ecuador, Sucumbios, Garza Cocha (PJD). Bia actorion occulta Casagrande & Penz, new ssp.: e, male holotype, Brazil, Pará, Acará (DZUP); f, female paratype, Brazil, Pará, Sto Antonio do Tauá (DZUP). Intermediate between actorion and decaerulea: g, male, Suriname (RMNH); h, male, Suriname, Coronie (RMNH).

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.