Batesia hypochlora facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Batesia hypochlora |
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| Batesia hypochlora. Dorsal view (left) and ventral view (right) | |
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The Batesia is a special kind of butterfly group, called a genus. It's part of the Nymphalidae family, which includes many beautiful butterflies. What makes Batesia unique is that it has only one known species: Batesia hypochlora. This amazing butterfly is also known by a cool common name: the painted beauty.
Contents
What is the Painted Beauty Butterfly?
The painted beauty butterfly, Batesia hypochlora, is the only species in its genus. This means it's a "monotypic" genus, which comes from Greek words meaning "one type." It's a very distinct butterfly!
Where Does the Painted Beauty Live?
You can find the painted beauty butterfly mainly in the upper Amazon basin areas. This includes parts of Brazil, Ecuador, and Peru. These areas are known for their rich rainforests and diverse wildlife.
How Big is the Painted Beauty?
The Batesia hypochlora is a medium to large butterfly. Its wingspan can be between 85 and 95 millimeters. That's about 3.3 to 3.7 inches wide!
What Does the Painted Beauty Look Like?
This butterfly has some truly striking colors.
- Upper Side: The top part of its wings is a beautiful blue color. There's also a blue band near the edges of its hindwings (the back wings). On the forewings (the front wings), you'll see a large, bright pink patch.
- Under Side: The underside of its hindwings is yellow. This yellow can be different shades, from a light cream to a deep, rich saffron color. The exact shade depends on where the butterfly lives.
Subspecies of the Painted Beauty
Sometimes, a species can have slightly different versions that live in different places. These are called subspecies. The painted beauty has two known subspecies:
- Batesia hypochlora hypochlora: This subspecies is found in Peru.
- Batesia hypochlora hypoxantha: This one lives in both Peru and Ecuador. It was identified by Salvin & Godman in 1868.
See also
In Spanish: Batesia (insecto) para niños
