Micandra ion (Druce, 1890)

Prieto, Carlos, 2011, The genus Micandra Staudinger (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae: Theclinae) in Colombia, with the description of a new species from the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Zootaxa 3040, pp. 55-68 : 58

Micandra ion (Druce, 1890)

Thecla ion Druce, 1890 ; D’Abrera 1995: 1131; holotype 3 illustrated. Macusia ion (Druce, 1890) ; Johnson, Kruse & Kroenlein 1997: 30. Micandra ion (Druce, 1890) ; Robbins 2004: 120.

Taxonomic history and remarks. Clench (1971) suggested that Micandra ion was a potential member of Micandra based on genitalia and wing pattern. This placement was confirmed by Robbins (1986). D’Abrera (1995) illustrated two males of this species including the holotype, and considered M. extrema (Draudt) as a variant of M. ion .

Johnson et al. (1997) transferred this species to Macusia along with two species included in Micandra by Clench (1971). Subsequently, Robbins (2004) returned ion to Micanrdra following Clench's (1971) concept of the genus.

Diagnosis. This species may be confused only with M. extrema . Micandra ion is easily distinguished from the latter by the have a bluish-purple patch on the ventral forewing of the male bearing at least three bands; in M. extrema the ventral forewing is nearly entirely blue, obscuring all traces of bands. Females of M. ion are unknown or unrecognized, but probably are very similar to females of M. comae .

Distribution. In Colombia this species is known only from the type locality in the Eastern Cordillera at 800 m.

Material examined. BOYACÁ: 1 3 BMNH *: Río Minero, Muzo, Colombia, 2500 ft, Wheeler, Godman-Salvin, Coll, 1911.-23.