Species Calephelis nemesis - Fatal Metalmark

Classification · Synonyms and other taxonomic changes · Explanation of Names · Identification · Range · Food · Internet References

Fatal Metalmark - Calephelis nemesis - female

Fatal Metalmark - Calephelis nemesis - male

Fatal Metalmark - Calephelis nemesis - male - female

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Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)

Superfamily Papilionoidea (Butterflies (excluding skippers))

Family Riodinidae (Metalmarks)

Tribe Riodinini

Genus Calephelis

Species nemesis (Fatal Metalmark)

Synonyms and other taxonomic changes

First described in 1871 by William Henry Edwards as Charis nemesis

Explanation of Names

Probably named after the Greek Goddess Nemesis (Νεμεσες)

Identification

Upperside brown with darker median bands. Male forewings pointed. Checkered fringe.

Range

Southwestern states south to South Mexico - S. California, S. Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas.

Food

Larvae eat leaves of Seepwillow (Baccharis glutinosa) and possibly Virgin's-bower (Clematis spp.)

Internet References

Butterflies and Moths of North America

Larval image

Transactions of the American Entomological Society, v.3(1871), p.212 Edwards' original description of the species.

Contributed by tom murray on 10 August, 2005 - 8:34pm
Additional contributions by Hannah Nendick-Mason, Chuck Entz
Last updated 18 July, 2009 - 1:54pm

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