Libytheinae is a morphologically unusual group of butterflies whose external anatomy has never been described in detail. The subfamily is considered basal within the diverse family Nymphalidae, and libytheines retain many plesiomorphic features, such as a functional female foreleg and smooth larva. In this paper, we describe and illustrate the adult morphology of Libythea celtis Laicharting, make comparisons to other nymphalid subfamilies, and homologize terms whenever possible. We describe major sclerites, sulci, and the presence of cranial and lateral pits on the tibia, the latter which appear to be previously unreported from the lepidopteran literature. When present, sexual dimorphism and geographic variation are noted. It is hoped that the present paper will help stabilize inconsistencies in morphological terms in nymphalid butterflies.
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1 July 2012
External Morphology of Adult Libythea celtis (Laicharting [1782]) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae)
Akito Y. Kawahara,
Elena Ortiz-Acevedo,
Christopher J. Marshall
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Zoological Science
Vol. 29 • No. 7
July 2012
Vol. 29 • No. 7
July 2012
comparative morphology
nettle-tree butterfly
polymorphism
sexual dimorphism
snout butterfly