About Philaethria dido diatonica (Fruhstorfer, 1912)
Philaethria dido is a butterfly species with several distinct subspecies. The adult butterflies have a wingspan of about 110 mm (4.3 in). In Mexico, they are on the wing from July to December. The upper surface of the wings is black patterned with translucent green patches. The underside is similar, with the addition of some brown streaks and gray scales. Philaethria dido is often confused with Siproeta stelenes. The two species have similar coloration, but differ in wing shape, and differ in habitat preference: P. dido flies high in the canopy, while S. stelenes is most often found in forest clearings and open secondary forest. Different subspecies occupy different ranges. Philaethria dido chocoensis is endemic to land west of the Andes, with its range extending from western Ecuador to the Chocó region in northwestern Colombia. Philaethria dido dido has a more widespread distribution, and is native to tropical forests in South America east of the Andes. Its range extends from Brazil to Bolivia and Colombia, and northward to Mexico. Stray butterflies have occasionally been observed in the lower Rio Grande valley in Texas. This butterfly’s flight is fast and direct. It mainly moves through the canopy and along stream courses, but may also be seen in clearings and sunlit glades. It occurs in tropical rainforests at altitudes from zero up to 1200 metres (4000 ft), and is absent from deciduous forests.
