#apollo metalmark

[blackylamb]

Lovely.

[cool-critters]

Apollo Metalmark (Lyropteryx apollonia)

The Apollo Metalmark is a butterfly of the Riodinidae family, Riodininae subfamily, tribe Riodinini. The wingspan of Lyropteryx apollonia is about 35–43 mm. Upper surface of the wings is black, with numerous longitudinal streaks of metallic blue-green colours on the outer half. The undersides are black, with the basal half spotted with purple-pink and the outer half with black and white stripes. This rare species is widespread in the tropical areas of the South America, particularly in Ecuador, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru and Colombia. It can be found in tropical rainforests forests, at an elevation of about 200–600 m.

photo credits: Hectonichus, Joe Mabel