Euselasia

Description

The wing veins are inconstant. Some species have two, others three, and one species (E. aurantiaca) even four subcostal branches. The genus is recognizable by the anterior radial vein either running directly in the elongation of the subcostal, or being connected with it by a very short anterior discocellular.

The butterflies often have the appearance of small Satyrids or Thecla species; as for instance Euselasia eutychus resembles (particularly beneath) exactly Euptychia helle flying in the same locality, or Thecla themathea; or Euselasia clithra resembles Euptychia chloris and so on. On the upper surface there is often a very bright reflection of a shining power otherwise not found in any lepidopteran and of a truly wonderful iridescence.

The larvae are somewhat of the shape of a woodlouse, very brightly coloured, behind the head there are two points. The pupae are covered with fine, fluffy hairs like the larvae, green, held by a belt. The imagines are partly extraordinarily rare and belong to the few Riodinidae that fly to a considerable height. They also clap their wings together when at rest like other day butterflies, unlike most of the other Riodinidae which spread them out like the Geometridae.

Taxonomy

This is one of the largest genera in the family Riodinidae. As of 2004 there were almost 170 species and more are being described continually. The type species of the genus is Euselasia gelon (Stoll, [1787])

Species

Species include: