Nymphalidae : Danainae
Anetia briarea Hübner, 1823
Many-spotted King
Anetia briarea Hübner, 1823
Many-spotted King
Description and Similar Species: Wingspan 78-106mm. Sexes similar though females are slightly larger. This is a species of open areas in mountain forests sometimes at considerable height. When at rest with wings closed it lacks the orange appearance shown when the wings are are open. The paired cream spots on the trailing edge of the wings is the best feature to separate from Great King Anetia pantherata which is slightly larger and darker looking. A. pantherata also has only two rows of black spots on the upper hindwing (three rows in A. briarea). A. pantherata is also very rare and found only right at the western end of Cuba on the Guanahacabibes Peninsula though there has also been one record in Havana Botanic Garden.
Range: Found on Cuba and Hispaniola only.
Status: The subspecies numidia is endemic to Cuba and is found along the edges of forest in the mountains of east and central Cuba. Sightings are also increasing in the mountains of Pinar del Rio in the west where it was once very rare (Núñez, pers. comm.).
Nectar Plants: Chromolaena odorata.
Larval Foodplants: Said to be Cynanchum angustifolium and possibly Jacquinia sp. (Hernandez).
Range: Found on Cuba and Hispaniola only.
Status: The subspecies numidia is endemic to Cuba and is found along the edges of forest in the mountains of east and central Cuba. Sightings are also increasing in the mountains of Pinar del Rio in the west where it was once very rare (Núñez, pers. comm.).
Nectar Plants: Chromolaena odorata.
Larval Foodplants: Said to be Cynanchum angustifolium and possibly Jacquinia sp. (Hernandez).
