| Columbine | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Riodinidae |
| Genus: | Stiboges |
| Species: | S. nymphidia |
| Binomial name | |
| Stiboges nymphidia (Guerin, 1843) |
|
The Columbine (Stiboges nymphidia) is a small but striking butterfly found in India that belongs to the "punches and judies" group of metalmark butterflies (family Riodinidae).
Contents |
The male upperwing is pure white, base of wings narrowly, costal margin of forewing very broadly; with the apical and terminal third of the forewing and terminal third of the hind wing black, the inner margin of this colour irregularly crenulate. Forewing with subterminal and terminal very incomplete transverse series of white spots, the anterior two of the former series bring the largest. Hindwing with a subterminal undulated pale line, in some specimens white where it crosses the veins, and a terminal series of white lunules. Cilia white alternated with black. Underside similar, the markings generally more clearly defined, the pale subterminal line on the hind wing replaced by a line of obscure minute spots. Antennae black with white rings at the articulations; head, thorax and abdomen black; beneath, the palpi and abdomen white, the thorax black.
Female is similar to the male, but the forewing with the black apical and terminal areas proportionately narrower; hind wing with a series of spots instead of the sub-terminal pale line on the upperside. Antennae, head, thorax and abdomen as in the male.[1]