38 
Psyche 
[Vol. 91 
a less active way, with predators and parasites alone. An explana- 
tion of Adelpha’s wing pattern madness, might be that this genus is 
comprised of several groups, of various affinities, which together 
form a large mimicry complex, perhaps based upon members whose 
larvae feed on alkaloid-bearing plants (e.g., Rubiaceae). Possible 
examples are found among the unrealted look-alikes reared by me 
in Panama (Figure 7): phylaca aethalia (non-rubiaceous feeder 
(NR)) closely resembles cocala (rubiaceous feede (R)); justina 
(NR) resembles leucophthalma (R); melanthe (NR) is larger than, 
but very similar in pattern to salmoneous (R); and celerio and nr. 
paraena (both NR) are very similar in pattern to iphicla and 
basiloides (both R). The idea is intriguing, but must be labelled 
“pure speculation” until data on palatability of Adelpha butterflies 
is available. In its defense, however, I would like to point out that 
there are several examples of Adelpha look-alikes in uncontestably 
unrelated butterflies. Nymula velabrum (Riodinidae), whose wing 
pattern closely resembles that of A. iphicla, and several other 
Nymula species that are look-alikes of other Adelpha types, all 
depart from the basic wing pattern of their genus. Female 
Doxocopa laure and pavon (Nymphalidae) resemble A. iphicla, 
while female D. Clothilda are even more convincing look-alikes of 
A. salmoneus. Male Doxocopa Clothilda and pavon differ from the 
females of their species, and do not resemble Adelpha, while the 
male of D. laure has an Adelpha- like wing pattern with overlying 
purple iridescence. Pyrrhogyra hypsenor (Nymphalidae) is similar 
in appearance to Adelpha species that have broad white bands, and 
has fooled at least one lepidopterist (Muyshondt, 1974). 
Old World Relatives 
The few published accounts of life histories for Old World 
Limenitidinae provide intriguing glimpses into the trove of informa- 
tion awaiting the attention of lepidopterists. Many larval and pupal 
forms, similar to those of Adelpha, occur among Old World genera, 
and in addition, many utilize the same foodplant genera as Adelpha 
and display similar larval behavior. Life history studies, that 
compare Old and New World groups, are essential to our 
understanding of generic limits and relationships within this 
subfamily. 
