Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Colobura annulata Willmott, Constantino & Hall, 2001. Type locality: Cayenne, French Guiana
Two subspecies are currently [tentatively] recognized, but are very similar and dubiously distinct.
C. dirce dirce occupies most of the species distribution and is the one that could potentially stray northward from Mexico, and the one most likely to escape from living butterfly exhibits.
C. dirce wolcotti Comstock, 1942. Type locality: Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. This is the subspecies that potentially could stray into Florida naturally. Synonyms of ssp. wolcotti are:
C. dirce clementi Comstock, 1942. Type locality: Santiago de Cuba, Cuba
C. dirce avinoffi Comstock, 1942. Type locality: Bath, St. Thomas, Jamaica
Identification
See discussion under
Colobura.
Very similar to Colobura dirce, differing in ventral wing pattern. With the lighter brown stripes on the apical half of the ventral front wings narrower than in C. dirce, and not narrowing distinctly toward the apex of the wing. The same stripes in C. dirce are wider and narrow noticeably toward the apex.
Larvae of C. annulata have prominent white to yellowish stripes that cross the sides and top of the body at the junctions of the segments.
Range
Bolivia and Brazil to southern Mexico.
Probably not to be found north of Mexico, but anecdotal references have been made to it occuring in Arizona and California.