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Post by trehopr1 on Oct 19, 2018 5:37:29 GMT
This whimsical looking butterfly is called the American snout or common snout butterfly (Libytheana carinenta). It is a member of the subfamily Libytheinae in the brush-footed butterfly family, Nymphalidae. This small subfamily contains two valid genera and about 10 species (worldwide); six in Libythea and four in Libytheana. The common name given to these butterflies refers to the thick exaggerated labial palps which these butterflies possess unlike any others. These palps in combination with the antennae, give the appearance of the petiole (stem) of a dead leaf. This particular species is found in both North and South America. The larval host plants are Celtis species; the Common hackberry tree (Celtis occidentalis) being one of them. The eggs are laid singly. It has been reported that massive migrations of this species often attract attention in Mexico as well as Texas. Snout butterflies often take advantage of their brilliant camouflage by hanging upside down under a twig, whilst keeping their wings tightly closed; making them nearly invisible. Perhaps, then this is the reason why we generally see so little of these fellows in any given summer. Here, in the region of the Upper midwest (Great lakes states) I have only had the pleasure of encountering this un-common species once or twice on average each summer. In fact, this is only the 4th specimen which I have picked up since 2014. The funny thing is that I see a fair number of our Hackberry emperor butterfly (Asterocampa celtis) during any given summer; and yet this diminutive species which feeds on the same host is wholly absent much of the time. Could it be it's camouflage is just that good. Is it because it's eggs are too few and far between to result in many larvae making it to adults? Is it perhaps only a seasonal colonizer with a limited span of time in which to produce a single brood? I know, I cannot say for sure as any of these reasons is plausible if not a combination of these reasons. However, what am sure of is that it is a most remarkable little species in it's own right and a welcome sight on any field foray.  |
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Post by nomihoudai on Oct 19, 2018 7:20:43 GMT
Could it be too cold for them? In Texas you see plenty of them. If anyone outside of the US wants some, I still have a bunch papered.
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Post by wollastoni on Oct 19, 2018 9:10:30 GMT
A strange family indeed and I have always wondered why it has produced so few species.
I have personaly met only Libythea celtis in France.
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Post by mcheki on Oct 19, 2018 14:13:55 GMT
As trehopr1 points out the Libytheinae are found worldwide. Libythea is found in Africa as Libythea labdaca on mainland Africa and as L ancoata on Madagascar, It was believed to also be on Mauritius as L cyniris, but this species is now thought to be extinct.
On mainland Africa it is divided into two subspecies. Here is a short series of L labdaca labdaca whose range is from Sierra Leone in the west of Africa to western Kenya. These specimens come from Ghana, Gabon and Kakamega Forest in Western Kenya. It is remarkable how little variation there is throughout its range.
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Post by mcheki on Oct 19, 2018 14:19:20 GMT
The Rift Valley acts as a divide between the subspecies of this butterfly. East of the Rift Valley it is found as L labdaca laius. These specimens were collected in different parts of Tanzania by different collectors.
It may be whimsical but it certainly gets about
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Post by trehopr1 on Oct 19, 2018 16:45:54 GMT
Very nice to see a species + subspecies out of Africa. Thank you mcheki for sharing! That's what I love about this forum: others willingness to share things that they have in their collections...
I have 3 specimens of Libythea celtis from Europe in my collection which I have been able to acquire. Sad to hear of the one species (L. cyniris) possibly going extinct.
I can't help but, believe it probably is still there on Mauritius localized somewhere/someplace. However, because of their cryptic look, small size, and overall spotty appearances; most people simply overlook their presence !
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Post by Adam Cotton on Oct 19, 2018 18:25:18 GMT
We have four species of Libythea in Thailand, L. celtis, L. myrrha, L. narina and L. geoffroy. The last species has a rather nice purple sheen.
Adam.
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Post by Paul K on Oct 19, 2018 20:51:11 GMT
Those are specimens of Libythea myrrha sanguinalis I collected in Thailand. So far I didn't found the other three species.  In Canada Libytheana carinenta can be found only at the shore of L.Erie as a migrant species and I haven't got the chance to see one yet. Paul |
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steve
Junior Aurelian
Posts: 53
Country: Australia
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Post by steve on Oct 19, 2018 23:45:32 GMT
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Post by trehopr1 on Oct 20, 2018 0:13:05 GMT
Awesome species out of Australia. Looks to be a sight larger than other typical snout species. Have you personally collected that species? Is is un-common?
Hey paul K thanks for sharing.... I figured if you caught any over in Thailand you might show them. Perhaps, Adam has some of the other Thai species stored in his friends collection boxes which he could show us.
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steve
Junior Aurelian
Posts: 53
Country: Australia
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Post by steve on Oct 20, 2018 0:48:09 GMT
Yes, they are quite large. These were collected on Dauan Island, Torres Strait but I have also collected them at Coen, Cape York. They are very rarely encountered, usually during the wet season.
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Post by Ed on Oct 27, 2018 18:47:25 GMT
I found a handful of these two summers ago. There is a couple species of these in China but they are not of much interest to me and they practically all look the same or very similar to me, especially when papered.
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Post by Adam Cotton on Oct 27, 2018 18:58:21 GMT
Perhaps, Adam has some of the other Thai species stored in his friends collection boxes which he could show us. Due to the way the collection is stored I cannot easily find individual boxes, but a couple of weeks ago Antonio Giudici photographed the whole collection. Once he has finished processing the photos of well over 200 boxes and gives me copies I will be able to post a picture of the Libythea specimens here. Adam. |
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Post by Paul K on Oct 28, 2018 1:21:03 GMT
Perhaps, Adam has some of the other Thai species stored in his friends collection boxes which he could show us. Due to the way the collection is stored I cannot easily find individual boxes, but a couple of weeks ago Antonio Giudici photographed the whole collection. Once he has finished processing the photos of well over 200 boxes and gives me copies I will be able to post a picture of the Libythea specimens here. Adam. Adam Could I have those copies too? Perhaps I should ask Antonio directly? I would love to have them as this is for sure great material and reference collection. Paul PS. I see Antonio is in Chiang Mai quite often this days. Please say hello when you have to meet him again. |
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Post by Adam Cotton on Oct 28, 2018 8:43:19 GMT
The long term aim is to make a website for the photos of the Sukkit collection, but of course I can share photos once they are ready. After I receive them back from Antonio I will check the numbering and maybe rename the files, then I may be able to post a 1 week download link here for anyone who wants copies. Note there are no Papilionidae boxes, Ting gave me all his specimens of those long ago.
Yes, Antonio is doing tours around the Chiang Mai area until mid November, so he will be here until then. I will pass on your best regards, although he may well read them here.
Adam.
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