Violet-washed Eyed-Metalmark
Common NameViolet-washed Eyed-Metalmark
Scientific NameRhetus dysonii
FamilyRiodinidae
SubfamilyRiodininae
Wingspan (mm)40
Primary Colorsbrown, violet, black, orange
HabitatTropical rainforests, humid forests, forest edges
Geographic RangeCentral America to northern South America (e.g., Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia)
Host PlantsEuphorbiaceae (e.g., Croton species)
Flight PeriodYear-round in tropical climates
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesUndergoes complete metamorphosis (egg, larva, pupa, adult). Larvae are typically flattened and may exhibit myrmecophilous associations with ants, feeding on host plant leaves before pupating.
Identification TipsDistinguished by the striking contrast between the dark brown, single-eyed forewings and the vibrant, iridescent violet-blue, multi-banded hindwings. The metallic sheen on the hindwings and the distinct forewing eyespot are key diagnostic features.
Description
This butterfly has dark brown forewings, each featuring a prominent black eyespot with a bright blue pupil and an orange-yellow ring. The hindwings are predominantly iridescent violet-blue with intricate dark wavy bands and several smaller, less distinct eyespots.
