Riodinidae : Riodininae
Dianesia flammata Núñez, Álvarez & Espeland 2025
Flaming Metalmark
Dianesia flammata Núñez, Álvarez & Espeland 2025
Flaming Metalmark
Description and Similar Species: Wingspan 28-32mm. Sexes similar though males have narrower more pointed wings. Its habit of often settling on the underside of leaves means that it can more easily be mistaken for a moth rather than a butterfly. This species most resembles the closely related D. alayoi from which it can be separated by its brighter upper and underside coloration (particularly in females).
Range: Found along the north coast and cays in dry coastal scrub-woodland and dry coastal forest. This species has the broadest range of any Cuban member of the genus and its likely widespread along the Jardines del Rey archipelago from Cayo Frances in the west along the northern shores of central and eastern Cuba as far as Gibara, in the same manner as its hostplant.
Status: A rare Endemic of Cuba though the most widespread and common of the genus.
Nectar Plants: Adults visit flowers of Bourreria suculenta (Boraginaceae), Croton glabellus (Euphorbiaceae), Tara
vesicaria (L.) Molinari, Sánchez Och. & Mayta (Fabaceae) and Turnera diffusa Willd. (Passifloraceae).
Larval Foodplants: Buxus bahamensis (Buxaceae).
Range: Found along the north coast and cays in dry coastal scrub-woodland and dry coastal forest. This species has the broadest range of any Cuban member of the genus and its likely widespread along the Jardines del Rey archipelago from Cayo Frances in the west along the northern shores of central and eastern Cuba as far as Gibara, in the same manner as its hostplant.
Status: A rare Endemic of Cuba though the most widespread and common of the genus.
Nectar Plants: Adults visit flowers of Bourreria suculenta (Boraginaceae), Croton glabellus (Euphorbiaceae), Tara
vesicaria (L.) Molinari, Sánchez Och. & Mayta (Fabaceae) and Turnera diffusa Willd. (Passifloraceae).
Larval Foodplants: Buxus bahamensis (Buxaceae).
Larva
Foodplants and Habitat
