Colobura dirce
Encyclopedia
The Dirce Beauty, also known as the Mosaic or Zebra Mosaic, (Colobura dirce) is a butterfly
of the Nymphalidae
family. It is found in Central America
and the Northern parts of South America
.
The length of the fore-wings is about 33 mm.
The larvae feed on Cecropia
species.
Butterfly
A butterfly is a mainly day-flying insect of the order Lepidoptera, which includes the butterflies and moths. Like other holometabolous insects, the butterfly's life cycle consists of four parts: egg, larva, pupa and adult. Most species are diurnal. Butterflies have large, often brightly coloured...
of the Nymphalidae
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 is found in Central America
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
and the Northern parts of South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
.
The length of the fore-wings is about 33 mm.
The larvae feed on Cecropia
Cecropia
Cecropia is a Neotropical genus presently consisting of sixty-one recognized species with a highly distinctive lineage of dioecious trees....
species.
Subspecies
There are two recognised subspecies:- C. d. dirce (Linnaeus, 1758)
- C. d. wolcotti Comstock, 1942