Rhetus
Genus of butterflies
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Rhetus is a Neotropical metalmark butterfly genus. They are small (wingspan 25–30 mm), fast-flying, and strikingly iridescent, and have long wing tails. They are found in open areas, including tracks of primary rainforest.
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| Rhetus | |
|---|---|
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| R. dysonii, Ecuador | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Riodinidae |
| Tribe: | Riodinini |
| Genus: | Rhetus Swainson, [1829] |
| Species | |
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See text | |
| Synonyms | |
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The genus was erected by William Swainson in 1829. In older literature, all three species were placed in the genus Diorina Morisse 1838 currently viewed as a subjective junior synonym, the older name having priority.
Rhetus periander often features in butterfly wall displays.
Species
The three species are:[1]
- Rhetus arcius (Linnaeus, 1763) – paler than R. periander and with longer thinner tails
- Rhetus dysonii (Saunders, 1850) – outer margins of the forewings convex, distinct white bands, and white markings on the tail
- Rhetus periander (Cramer, [1777]) – commonest and most widespread
