Nymphalidae : Biblidinae
Archimestra teleboas (Menetries, 1832)
The Widow
Archimestra teleboas (Menetries, 1832)
The Widow
Description and Similar Species: Wingspan 48-54mm. Sexes similar.
Range: It was previously thought to only occur on Honduras just to the east of Cuba where it was considered to be an endemic. It could be found commonly in parts of Haiti and western Dominican Republic (Smith, Miller & Miller).
Status: In Cuba it was first discovered on 29 January 2025 at Maisi in the far east end of the island by Yosiel Alvarez, Dayron Breto and Sheyla Yong. Many were seen along 12km of woodland trail so it seems to be well established there. It will be interesting to note how quickly it moves westwards. You can read the paper of the discovery here.
Nectar Plants: In Cuba it was noted visiting flowers of Heliotropium indicum (Boraginaceae), Spermacoce remota (Rubiaceae), and Chromolaena odorata (Asteraceae).
Larval Foodplants: Larvae are as yet undescribed nowadays (Pérez-Asso et al. 2017) but are said to have been reared on Tragia sp (Euphorbiaceae).
Range: It was previously thought to only occur on Honduras just to the east of Cuba where it was considered to be an endemic. It could be found commonly in parts of Haiti and western Dominican Republic (Smith, Miller & Miller).
Status: In Cuba it was first discovered on 29 January 2025 at Maisi in the far east end of the island by Yosiel Alvarez, Dayron Breto and Sheyla Yong. Many were seen along 12km of woodland trail so it seems to be well established there. It will be interesting to note how quickly it moves westwards. You can read the paper of the discovery here.
Nectar Plants: In Cuba it was noted visiting flowers of Heliotropium indicum (Boraginaceae), Spermacoce remota (Rubiaceae), and Chromolaena odorata (Asteraceae).
Larval Foodplants: Larvae are as yet undescribed nowadays (Pérez-Asso et al. 2017) but are said to have been reared on Tragia sp (Euphorbiaceae).
