Nymphalidae : Nymphalinae
Hypolimnas misippus (Linnaeus, 1764)
The Mimic
Hypolimnas misippus (Linnaeus, 1764)
The Mimic
Description and Similar Species: Wingspan 66-90mm. Sexually dimorphic and while males are constant females are polymorphic and can even look like males.
Range: A native of Africa and Asia it has spread by unknown means to parts of eastern North America and the Caribbean.
Status: In Cuba it is a rare but has been seen occasionally in widespread localities. Its foodplants are varied and common so it is perhaps odd that the butterfly has not also become more common. It is common in the southern Antilles and perhaps the ones seen in Cuba are migrants from that population.
Nectar Plants: Unknown.
Larval Foodplants: Larvae have been found Ipomoea (Convolvulaceae) and Portulaca (Portulacaceae) and several Malvaceae and Acanthaceae (Hernández).
Range: A native of Africa and Asia it has spread by unknown means to parts of eastern North America and the Caribbean.
Status: In Cuba it is a rare but has been seen occasionally in widespread localities. Its foodplants are varied and common so it is perhaps odd that the butterfly has not also become more common. It is common in the southern Antilles and perhaps the ones seen in Cuba are migrants from that population.
Nectar Plants: Unknown.
Larval Foodplants: Larvae have been found Ipomoea (Convolvulaceae) and Portulaca (Portulacaceae) and several Malvaceae and Acanthaceae (Hernández).
