About Philaethria dido (Linnaeus, 1763)
Philaethria dido is a butterfly species with a wingspan of approximately 110 mm (4.3 in). In Mexico, adults are active from July to December. The upper surface of its wings is black, patterned with translucent green patches. The underside has a similar pattern, with additional brown streaks and gray scales. This species is frequently confused with Siproeta stelenes due to similar coloration, but the two can be distinguished by their different wing shapes, differing habitat preferences, and flight behaviors: P. dido flies high in the forest canopy, while S. stelenes is most often found in forest clearings and open secondary forest. Two subspecies of Philaethria dido have documented ranges. Philaethria dido chocoensis is endemic to land west of the Andes, with a range extending from western Ecuador to the Chocó region of northwestern Colombia. Philaethria dido dido has a broader distribution, native to tropical forests east of the Andes in South America. Its range extends from Brazil to Bolivia and Colombia, and northward into Mexico. Occasional stray individual butterflies have also been observed in the lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas. P. dido has a fast, direct flight, and it primarily moves through the forest canopy and along stream courses, though it may also be seen in clearings and sunlit glades. It occurs in tropical rainforests at altitudes from sea level up to 1200 metres (4000 ft), and is not found in deciduous forests.
