Chilean Metalmark
Common NameChilean Metalmark
Scientific NameAricoris chilensis
FamilyRiodinidae
SubfamilyRiodininae
Wingspan (mm)30
Wing Patternspotted
Primary Colorsorange, black
HabitatDry scrublands, open woodlands, and coastal areas
Geographic RangeChile
Host PlantsSpecific host plants not well-documented, but Riodinidae often utilize various dicotyledonous plants
Flight PeriodOctober to April
Flight Styledarting
Lifecycle NotesFollows a typical lepidopteran lifecycle of egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Larvae of Riodinidae are often flattened, and some species exhibit myrmecophilous associations.
Identification TipsDistinguished by its bright orange ground color with prominent, irregular black markings across both forewings and hindwings, and its endemic range in Chile.
Description
A small to medium-sized butterfly with vibrant orange wings heavily marked with irregular black spots and a dark outer margin. The underside is similar but may be duller.
