Eurytides zonaria (Dominican Republic)

[Trehopr1]

Here is a butterfly species that our forum member
"eurytides" is sure to enjoy. Eurytides zonaria is endemic
to the island of Hispaniola (Haiti/Dominican Republic).

I was there in early August of 1990 and was there to
experiance its presence. Our location was Pedernales
province which borders Haiti and the southern coastline.
At sea level there was an awful lot of arid desert and scrub.
Not exatly what one would expect to find any Papilio in but,
yet my friend assured me that they were there and it would
only take a brief rain to then find them.



Days went right on by without a drop of rain and then one
afternoon after some morning collecting we were headed back
to our "digs" and a brief thundershower rolled through. My
friend said lets do lunch and we will swing-back to see what's
around.

We went back in about an hour (1/2) and proceeded to drive
around various desert roads checking mud puddles --- which
were already shrinking since the sun was out and the heat was
building. Danged', if my buddy wasn't so right. There they were
showing up (here and there) at puddles !

Sometimes, only 2 or 3 and other times a few more....
They were wary but, hungry for salt nutrients. Still, a "ginger"
swing was needed to prevent tail breakage and one net swing
was all you would get as the rest would scatter. I managed 15
before I said "I'm good" but, my friend probably nabbed about
30.

Never did see any more after that day so I really felt like we
were somehow "graced" to capture what we did. Over my years
I've (spread my wealth) a bit with other collectors thru some
trades/sales; so, now all I have left are 4. But, I'm pleased that
others can enjoy the species as well since it is seldom offered
nowadays.

Neither of us ever caught a (female) that afternoon !

[daveuk]

Lovely specimens & story Trehopr. The only Caribbean Island I have visited is Barbados. A wonderful experience but comparatively poor in butterfly species to other Caribbean islands sadly.

[eurytides]

Thank you for sharing! Very enjoyable indeed!

[58chevy]

Nice specimens! It must have been fun capturing them. I see no obvious physical differences between E. zonaria and E. philolaus, a Mexican species that occasionally strays into the U.S. Are the differences purely genetic?

[Paradesia]

Wonderful and informative story! Thank you.

[adamcotton]

I see no obvious physical differences between E. zonaria and E. philolaus, a Mexican species that occasionally strays into the U.S. Are the differences purely genetic?

Indeed, E. philolaus is the closest relative of the three Caribbean sister species zonaria, marcellinus and celadon, but they are not identical. Certainly E. zonaria is the closest of the three in appearance to philolaus, but zonaria is smaller.

Adam.

[58chevy]

Thanks for the clarification, Adam.