The genetic compatibility of the most divergent species within the genus Speyeria was tested in 25 different hybrid crosses and back-crosses. In addition, the inheritance and expression of various phenotypic characters of wing pattern and coloration were studied including examples of extreme sexual dimorphism in certain species. These characters are important for the taxonomic diagnosis and identification of the various Speyeria taxa. Most of these characters or traits appear to have a complex polygenic inheritance with more continuous ranges of variation that have often become fixated at one end of the continuum for many taxa. However, other characters show a simpler Mendelian inheritance of dominant or recessive expressions. Some color pattern traits appear to be unique for one or two species, but most characters appear to be widely shared among many different Speyeria taxa. The results of these hybrid crosses suggest that extensive interspecies gene flow through natural hybridization may have been important in shaping the past evolutionary history of this genus. Also, the extensive clinal intergradation between highly divergent eastern and western subspecies of S. atlantis is documented in northwestern Minnesota.

Battus polydamas archidamas (Boisduval 1836), the only Papilionidae present in Chile, is characterized because its larvae feed exclusively on highly toxic plants of the genus Aristolochia, from which they sequester toxins. Here, we describe the morphology and biology of the larval stages of this butterfly and its eggs. Based on observations using stereomicroscope and scanning electron microscopes, morphological external and some internal descriptions of the 5 larvae instars are provided. Eggs are rounded, 1 mm in diameter and usually covered with a yellow secretion. Presence of mandibular and labial glands are confirmed in all instars. The minimum and maximum length reached by the larvae are 0.32 and 4.82 cm, corresponding to the first and last instar respectively. First instars are dark brown and devoid of any type of scoli. Subsequent instars are generally dark burgundy with two scoli and numerous orange tubercles. In general, the morphology of larval stages is similar to those of related subspecies, with most differences related to its first instar. Data presented here aim to promote and facilitate the utilization of this larva as a study model for further evolutionary and ecological research.

Costa Rican members of the Chrysoxena group of genera are reviewed and illustrated. Three of the six genera that comprise the group are found in Costa Rica: Dorithia Powell, 1964 (three species), Cuproxena Powell and Brown, 1991 (ten species), and ThoridiaBrown, 1991 (one species). Five new species of Cuproxena are described: C. altimana, new species; C. casonana, new species; C. obscura, new species; C. monumenta, new species; and C. amistada, new species; along with one new species of Dorithia: D. phillipsae, new species. The male of Cuproxena neonereidana Brown and the female of Thoridia veirsi Brown are illustrated for the first time.

Acacia crassicarpa (Fabales, Fabaceae) is a tree native to Queensland in Australia, Papua New Guinea and West Papua in Indonesia. Spodoptera exigua and Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae) are native to Asia; however, they are currently distributed to several continents where they feed on plants as generalist defoliating pests. The objective of this study was to report, for the first time, Spodoptera species on A. crassicarpa plants in Sumatra, Indonesia. Aim also included the identification of Spodoptera species through analysis on the external morphology of caterpillars and wing venation of adults with confirmation of the identity via molecular analysis. Examination on the external morphology of caterpillars and wing venation of adults, revealed presence of two species i.e. S. exigua and S. litura, which was confirmed through molecular analysis. This is the first report of S. exigua and S. litura on A. crassicarpa. The identification of S. exigua and S. litura is important information for the management of these pests on A. crassicarpa plants in Sumatra, Indonesia.