The Riodinidae (or metalmarks) are a family of butterflies. The common name "metalmarks" refers to the small metallic-looking spots commonly found on their wings. There are approximately 1,000 species of metalmark butterflies in the world. Although mostly neotropical in distribution, the family is represented both in the New World and the Old World.

Distinguishing features

Like the lycaenids, the males of this family have reduced forelegs while the females have full-sized, fully functional forelegs. The foreleg of males, is often reduced and has a uniquely shaped first segment (the coxa) which extends beyond its joint with the second segment, rather than meeting it flush; They have a unique venation on the hindwing. The costa of the hind wing is thickened out to the humeral angle and the humeral vein is short.^[1]

Most species perch on the undersides of leaves with the wings held open and completely flat.

Taxonomy and systematics

Riodinidae is currently treated as a distinct family within the superfamily Papilionoidea, but in the past they were held to be the subfamily Riodininae of the Lycaenidae. Earlier, they were considered to be part of the now defunct family Erycinidae, whose species are divided between this family and the subfamily Libytheinae. Another older name for the Riodinidae is Nemeobiidae.

Subfamilies

The family Riodinidae consists of two subfamilies. They are:

• Euselasiinae ? a handful of genera
• Riodininae ? some dozens of genera

Genera of uncertain position

Several genera, namely from the Old World, are of more uncertain affiliations^[2]. Such Riodinidae incertae sedis are:

• Hamearis ? distinct subfamily Hamearinae?
• Dicallaneura
• Praetaxila
• Taxila
• Tribe Nemeobiini ? formerly subfamily Nemeobiinae
  • Polycaena
  • Saribia
  • Takashia
• Tribe Abisarini
  • Abisara
  • Laxita
  • Paralaxita
  • Stiboges
• Tribe Zemerini
  • Dodona
  • Zemeros

Life Cycle

The eggs vary in shape but often appear round and flattened. The caterpillars are usually hairy, plump, and are the common overwintering stage. Pupae are hairy and attached with silk to either the host plant or to ground debris or leaf litter. There is no cocoon.

Several genera of Riodinidae have evolved intimate associations with ants, and their larvae are tended and defended by ant associates. This also is the case with several linages of Lycaenidae and contributed to arguments for the uniting the two families. It is now recognized that myrmecophily arose several times among Riodinidae and Lycaenidae clades.

Foodplants

The larvae feed on plants of the families Araceae, Asteraceae, Bromeliaceae, Bombacaceae, Cecropiaceae, Clusiaceae, Dilleniaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae, Lecythidaceae, Loranthaceae, Malpighiaceae, Marantaceae, Melastomataceae, Myrtaceae, Orchidaceae, Rubiaceae, Sapindaceae, Zingiberaceae as well as bryophytes and lichens.^[3]

Footnotes

1. ↑ Borror et al. (1989)
2. ↑ See Savela (2007) for references.
3. ↑ DeVries (2001)

References

• (1989): An introduction to the study of insects (6th ed.). Philadelphia: Saunders College Pub. ISBN 0030253977

.

• (2001): [Riodinidae]. In: : Encyclopaedia of Biodiversity. Academic Press.
• (2007): Markku Savela's Lepidoptera and some other life forms: Riodinidae. Version of 2007-AUG-07. Retrieved 2007-SEP-09.

External links

• TOLImplied clade inks to species lists.
• TOL Images 3 pages.
• LEPINDEX Taxonomy project of Natural History Museum, London
• Idaho Museum of Natural History
• ''Calephelis virginiensis'', little metalmark on the UF / IFAS Featured Creatures Web site
• Mariposas mexicana Excellent high resolution images of Mexican Riodinidae
• Flickr Riodinidae
• Neotropical Butterfies Metalmark Gallery

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