Field Identification of Caterpillars and Adults of Bark Butterflies Opsiphanes spp. (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae) in Trinidad, W.I.

Abstract

Two species of Opsiphanes (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae, Satyrinae, Brassolini) are found in Trinidad: Opsiphanes cassina merianae Stichel and O. cassiae cassiae (Linnaeus) (Kaye 1921, Barcant 1970, Bristow 1991, Cock 2014). The purpose of this note is to show how adults of these two species can be separated based on a simple character of the ventral surface, provide preliminary documentation of the caterpillar and food plants of O. cassina merianae in Trinidad, and indicate how the caterpillars may be identified.