Bia 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

Bia actorion (Linnaeus)

( Figs 1a , 3 , 11 a–b, 12)

Type species.

Diagnostic re-description. General characters as described for the genus. (1) MF DFW white apical ocelli small to large. (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 ( Brazil, Amazonas, Manaus, but not all specimens). (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 iridescent band well developed but variable; usually broad below CuA2, and more extended towards tornus than those of female decaerulea decaerulea and rebeli . (4) M DFW androconial organ on the CuA-CuA1-CuA2 intersection dark brown, matching scale color of surrounding area. This character is shared by B. actorion and B. decaerulea . (5) M DHW discal androconial pad varies from being nearly black and darker than associated hairpencil ( Venezuela; Guyana; Suriname; Brazil, Manaus) to dark brown and of similar color to hairpencil (photos from Colombian specimens, Ecuador, northern Peru ; Brazil, northern Pará) . (6) M DHW discal hairpencil dark brown. (7) F VFW ripple pattern of the postmedial area slightly less dense than that of M in some localities ( Brazil and Guyana) and clearly less dense in others ( Venezuela, Ecuador). Male genitalia ( Figs 2 and 11 a): tip of valva usually narrow, spiny projection usually of medium height, infrequently tall, spines larger in specimens from the Guyana region ; gnathos wide (Guyana region) to narrow (other localities).

Type material. The iconotype designated by Hemming (1964) from Clerck’s Icones ( Fig. 1a ) does not show the color of androconial organs and also lacks locality data, both of which are important attributes for definitive identification of actorion . We therefore recognize that a neotype should be selected for this species, which will be done separately from this study. Note that specimens in the Linnean Collection are not types (male http://linneanonline.org/14787/ and female http://linnean-online.org/14788/ last accessed 30 August 2016; see also http:// butterfliesofamerica.com/L/t/ Bia _a.htm last accessed 30 August 2016).

Remarks. Geographical variation in some diagnostic characters serves as the basis for the subspecific classification proposed below.

Figures

FIGURE 1. a, iconotype of Bia actorion; b, lectotype of Bia peruana (SMT); c, holotype of Bia actorion rebeli (NRM); d, male and female Bia actorion showing characters used in the diagnoses (see Methods for explanation). Codes: 1 — DFW white apical ocelli, 2 — DFW orange band, 3 — DFW iridescent band, 4 — DFW androconial scales at the CuA-CuA 1 - CuA 2 intersection, 5 — DHW discal androconial pad, 6 — DHW discal hairpencil, 7 — VFW ripple pattern of the postmedial area.

FIGURE 2. Variation in valva and gnathos morphology (lateral view) across the range of Bia, including a sample of various species and subspecies. Note intraspecific variation in series from the same locality outlined by boxes.

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 11. Genitalia. a, male actorion, Guyana (dissection Penz 12 - 01, CMNH); b, female actorion, Guyana (dissection Penz 10 - 02, LACM; scale bar different from male illustrations); c, male decaerulea, Lectotype, Brazil, Pará, Faro, (dissection Miller 9047, MfN); d, male rebeli, Peru, San Martín (dissection Penz 10 - 08, USNM); e, male caelestis, paratype, Brazil, Amazonas, São Paulo de Olivença (dissection Penz 10 - 29, CMNH); f, male pucallpa, Peru, Pucallpa (USUSNM 2041410); g, male peruana, Peru, Huanuco, Rio Pichis (dissection Penz 09 - 06, FLMNH).