A review of Colobura (Lepidoptera : Nymphalidae) with comments on larval and adult ecology and description of a sibling species

The taxonomy of the genus Colobura Billberg, 1820, one of the most common m embers of the Neotropical lowland forest butterfly fauna, is critically rev iewed in light of available information on the morphology of both the immat ure stages and adults. Although regarded by almost all authors to date as m onotypic, Colobura contains two species, one of which is described here as Colobura annulata sp, n. The immature stages of both the new species and Co lobura dirce (Linnaeus, 1758) are described, compared, and figured. Both la rval and adult phenotypes of the two species may be readily separated. and a key to identification is provided. A review of published and unpublished information on the immature stages, hostplants, and adult behavior of both species reveals a possible case of ecological niche partitioning; larvae of C. dirce are solitary or occur in small groups on predominantly young tree s or saplings, whereas those of C. annulata are highly gregarious on mature canopy trees. There is some evidence to suggest that adult night height ma y, in part be correlated with the height of preferred hostplants.