Papilio amesis (Cramer, 1777)

Santos, Wildio Ikaro Da Graça, Dolibaina, Diego Rodrigo, Dias, Fernando Maia Silva, Mielke, Olaf Hermann Hendrik & Casagrande, Mirna Martins, 2023, A review of the South American metalmark genus Alesa Doubleday, 1847 (Lepidoptera: Riodinidae: Eurybiini) with the description of two new species, Zootaxa 5284 (1), pp. 77-120 : 97-98

“ amesis group”

The “ amesis group” includes small-sized species and the two most common species of the genus ( A. amesis and A. lipara ). Males are characterized by the white tip of antennae; wings underside with a characteristic pattern; forewing with outer margin markedly projected in M 2 –M 3, two distinct postdiscal spots in CuA 2 -2A on the forewing underside; base of valva ventrally large; outer posterior process of valva about as long as inner posterior process; distal margin of the outer posterior process of valva with pointed internal margin; inner posterior process of valva wider than the outer posterior process. Females have wings upper side yellow-spotted; sterigma membranous medially; base of lamella postvaginalis with a small, rounded projection at each side; with two lateral signa on the middle of the corpus bursae.

Included species. A. amesis , A. mariae sp. nov., A. lipara , A. hemiurga and A. thelydrias .

Key for males from the “ amesis group”

1 Forewing upper side with light silvery intervenal rays........................................................ 2

1’ Forewing upper side without light silvery intervenal rays...................................................... 3

2 Wings upper side black without markings.............................................................. amesis 2’ Wings upper side pale brown with reddish markings............................................... mariae sp. nov.

3 Wings upper side with spots or bands..................................................................... 4

3’ Wings upper side without spots or bands............................................................... lipara

4 Wings upper side with purplish sheen............................................................... hemiurga

4’ Wings upper side without purplish sheen............................................................ thelydrias

Key for females from the “ amesis group”

(females of A. mariae sp. nov. and A. thelydrias are unknown)

1 Dark blue iridescence at the center of the submarginal ocelli on the hindwing underside present................... amesis

1’ Dark blue iridescence at the center of the submarginal ocelli on the hindwing underside absent........................ 2

2 Forewing length 15–16,5mm ........................................................................ lipara

2’ Forewing length 14,5–15mm ...................................................................... hemiurga