PSYCHE 
Vol. 91 
1984 
No. 1-2 
ADELPHA (NYMPH ALIDAE): 
DECEPTION ON THE WING* 
By Annette Aiello 
Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute 
P.O. Box 2072, Balboa, Republic of Panama 
Introduction 
For the past century, lepidopterists have puzzled over the genus 
Adelpha Hiibner, in an attempt to discover the secret character or 
combination of characters which might lead to a satisfying 
classification of the 100 or more butterfly species included in this 
large neotropical group. Several approaches have been tried 
(Godman & Salvin, 1884, 1901; Fruhstorfer, 1907; Forbes, un- 
published manuscript): wing pattern (both upperside and lower- 
side), wing venation, genitalia, and various combinations of these. If 
one attempts to coordinate all the information available, the result 
is a hopeless tangle. As a result, the most obvious set of characters 
(wing pattern) traditionally has been used in classification; other 
character groups (genitalia, larvae, pupae) which appear to confuse 
the situation have been largely ignored. A new strategy is needed, 
one which would both evaluate the reliability of the different groups 
of characters already surveyed, and search anew for overlooked 
sources of information. It was the purpose of my research to review 
what is known of the immature stages of Adelpha species and, based 
upon that information plus my own observations made in Panama 
between 1978 and the present, to make speculations regarding 
species relationships. 
'Manuscript received by the editor January 12, 1984. 
