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Elf Butterfly

Microtia elva horni

Photo by LaurenZarate
Published on Project Noah
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15.664, -96.5555

Field Notes

Description:

Small, orange and black butterfly feeding on a little low-growing composite flower. About 1.5 cm long. Family Nymphalidae.

Habitat:

Mazunte Beach, Oaxaca

Species ID Suggestions

Elf

Microtia elva horni

Reference Link
bayucca
1

Comments (3)
LaurenZarate
Thank you bayucca. Very cute little butterfly. I haven't seen it yet in Chiapas. Mazunte Beach is very close to Pochutla, the type locality. They have an interesting courting behavior. The female lands on a flower and flutters her wings for a minute or longer, while several males fly around her. I didn't ever see how she choses one.
bayucca
Forgot one: http://www.butterfliesofamerica.com/L/microtia_elva_horni.htm
bayucca
Nymphalidae, Nymphalinae, Melitaeini, Microtia elva and looks like being Microtia elva horni.

Spotted for Missions

Butterflies and Moths of México
Mission
Butterflies & Moths of the World
Mission
Mexico Horn of Plenty
Mission
National Geographic's Great Nature Project
Mission
Insects from Mexico!

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Photographed
PublishedJuly 24, 2014

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