Nymphalis cyanomelas
Encyclopedia
The Mexican Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis cyanomelas) is a species in the Nymphalidae
family. It resides from southern Mexico
to El Salvador
. See also Anglewing
butterflies.
when the wings are together. The top side is mostly bark brown changing to blue (cyan, hence the name cyanomelas) or greenish-blue towards the wingtips. The wingtips also have chevrons or lozenge-shaped dark markings along the wing margins. Males and females are similarly marked.
Nymphalidae
The Nymphalidae is a family of about 5,000 species of butterflies which are distributed throughout most of the world. These are usually medium sized to large butterflies. Most species have a reduced pair of forelegs and many hold their colourful wings flat when resting. They are also called...
family. It resides from southern Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
to El Salvador
El Salvador
El Salvador or simply Salvador is the smallest and the most densely populated country in Central America. The country's capital city and largest city is San Salvador; Santa Ana and San Miguel are also important cultural and commercial centers in the country and in all of Central America...
. See also Anglewing
Anglewing
Anglewing butterflies — sensu Schiffermueller, [1775]A monophyletic group of nymphaline butterflies inhabiting Northern hemisphere, characterized by a jagged outline of their wings and the ability to survive the winter months as adults in an obligatory hibernal diapause, hiding in various...
butterflies.
Description
The underside of both the male's and female's wings are dark mottled brown, much like tree bark, for camouflageCamouflage
Camouflage is a method of concealment that allows an otherwise visible animal, military vehicle, or other object to remain unnoticed, by blending with its environment. Examples include a leopard's spotted coat, the battledress of a modern soldier and a leaf-mimic butterfly...
when the wings are together. The top side is mostly bark brown changing to blue (cyan, hence the name cyanomelas) or greenish-blue towards the wingtips. The wingtips also have chevrons or lozenge-shaped dark markings along the wing margins. Males and females are similarly marked.