Rhamma commodus (Felder & Felder, 1865)

Prieto, Carlos & Vargas, Maria A., 2016, Elfin butterflies of the genus Rhamma Johnson (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae: Theclinae): A review of the Colombian species, Zootaxa 4093 (3), pp. 323-342 : 325-326

Rhamma commodus (Felder & Felder, 1865)

( Figures 28, 29 , 41, 62, 67)

Thecla commodus Felder & Felder, 1865 . Lectotype examined.

Paralustrus commodus (Felder & Felder, 1865) : Johnson 1992: 164; D’Abrera 1995:1142; Draudt 1919: 759, pl 153g. Paralustrus orosiensis Johnson 1992: 165 . Image of holotype examined.

Paralustrus salazari Le Crom & Johnson, 1993 . Image of holotype examined. Rhamma commodus (Felder & Felder, 1865) : Robbins 2004.

Type material. Lectotype male, Bogotá. B.M. Type No. Rh. 607. Deposited in BMNH.

Taxonomic history and remarks. Johnson (1992) transferred Thecla commodus to Paralustrus Johnson , and described P. orosiensis Johnson, 1992 , P. paccius Johnson, 1992 , and P. familiaris Johnson 1992 within this genus. We have high quality images of the holotype of P. paccius and they correspond to a female of Rhamma arria . Holotypes of P. orosiensis and P. salazari correspond to slight geographic variations of the widely distributed P. commodus . Robbins (2004) synonymized the genus Paralustrus with Rhamma considering only R. familiaris and R. commodus as valid species.

Distribution and variability. This species is distributed widely in Colombia; specimens have been collected from Nariño in southern Colombia to Serrania del Perijá between 2200 m and 3380 m. The dorsal fore- and hindwing tonality varies from blue to green along its geographic distribution or even in the same locality. We also found a wide gradient of variability in butterfly size.

Diagnosis. This species can be easily differentiated from other Colombian species of Rhamma by its divergent ventral wing pattern that is reminiscent of those found in the genus Ocaria Clench. The ventral hindwing features a light ochre, triangular spot (funnel shaped) starting from the costa to vein M3 that is not present in any other Rhamma species.

Material examined (68♂, 1♀). CAUCA: 10 ♂, CP, Totoró, La Horqueta, 2700 m, 26/06/2013, 01/05/2009, 02/06/2009, C. Prieto; 3 ♂, CP, Stander. De Quilichao, 2450 m, 10/06/2009; 4 ♂, CP, PNN Munchique, 2800 m, 14/ 05/2006, C. Prieto; 3 ♂, CP, Argelia, Naranjal, 2900 m, 18/07/2006, C. Prieto. VALLE: 2 ♂, CP, Tenerifé, Páramo los Domínguez, 3200 m, C. Prieto; 3 ♂, CP, PNN Farallones, Alto del Buey, 3360 m, 01/01/2011. RISARALDA: 2 ♂, JFLC, Cerro Aguacatal, 17/11/1996, 15/05/1993. CALDAS: 1 ♂, JFLC, Cero Ingruma, 18/07/1994. ANTIOQUIA: 5 ♂, CP, Yarumal, La Marconia, Antenas, 2700 m, 27/07/2015, C. Prieto. CUNDINAMARCA: 5 ♂, JFLC, Bogotá, Páramo de Cruz Verde, 3200 m, 1997, 1998, 1999, J. F Le Crom; 2 ♂, JFLC, Cucunuba, 3200 m, 03/11/1996, Le Crom.; 1 ♂, JFLC, Subachoque, El Tablazo, 3000 m, 17/09/1995; 1 ♂, JFLC, Choachi, 2200 m, 01/1993, Le Crom.; 1 ♂, JFLC, Mosquera, 2800 m, 02/11/1995, Le Crom. BOYACÁ: 9 ♂, CP, 1 ♀, Güican, La Capilla, 3380 m, 14/01/2009, 29/12/2014, C. Prieto; 1 ♂, CP, Villadeleyva, PNN Iguaque, 2950 m, 30/08/2006, C. Prieto; 2 ♂, JFLC, Tibasosa, 2800 m, 09/12/1995, Le Crom; 1 ♂, JFLC, Laguna de Tota, 3200 m, 16/08/1993, Le Crom. CESAR: 8 ♂, CP, Manaure, Sabana Rubia, 2700m, 02/05/2015, C. Prieto.

Figures

FIGURES 20 – 29. Adults depicted in dorsal (left) and ventral (right) aspect: 20. Rhamma bilix male (Valle); 21. Rhamma bilix female (Belmira, Antioquia); 22. Rhamma bilix male (Valle); 23. Rhamma bilix male (Yarumal, Antioquia); 24. Rhamma anosma male (Boyacá); 25. Rhamma anosma female (Boyacá); 26. Rhamma andradei male (Cundinamarca); 27. Rhamma familiaris male (SNSM, Magdalena); 28. Rhamma commodus male (Antioquia); 29. Rhamma commodus female (Boyacá).