Nymphalis cyanomelas

Nymphalis cyanomelas, the Mexican tortoiseshell, is a species in the Nymphalidae family. It resides from southern Mexico to El Salvador. See also Anglewing butterflies.

Description

The underside of both the male's and female's wings are dark mottled brown, much like tree bark, for camouflage 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.

References

• Mexican Tortoiseshell, Butterflies of America
• Nymphalis cyanomelas (Mexican Tortoiseshell), Interactive Listing of Mexican Butterflies