Hypolimnas misippus

Danaid eggfly
male, upperside
female, upperside
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Hypolimnas
Species:
H. misippus
Binomial name
Hypolimnas misippus
(Linnaeus, 1764)
Synonyms
  • Papilio misippus Linnaeus, 1764
  • Diadema misippus
  • Papilio inaria Cramer, 1779
  • Hypolimnas alcippoides Butler, 1883
  • Hypolimnas misippus ab. dorippoides Aurivillius, 1899
  • Hypolimnas misippus f. immima Bernardi, 1959

Hypolimnas misippus, the Danaid eggfly,[2][3] mimic,[3] or diadem, is a widespread species of nymphalid butterfly. It is well known for polymorphism and mimicry. Males are in a singular form, appearing blackish with distinctive white spots that are fringed in blue. However, females show multiple forms that include male-like forms while others closely resemble the toxic butterflies Danaus chrysippus and Danaus plexippus.[4]

  1. ^ Coetzer, A.J.; Westrip, J.R.S. (2021). "Hypolimnas misippus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T62148588A161331411. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T62148588A161331411.en. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Smetacek was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference funet was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ D' Abrera, B. (1980). Butterflies of the Afrotropical Region. Landsdowne Editions.