Actinote pellenea is the most widespread species within genus (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Heliconiinae: Acraeini). The has several generations per year (multivoltine) and also diversified, with 18 formally recognized subspecies, of them morphologically distinct geographically segregated. In present study we investigated lineage limits 12 subspecies A. using sequences one mitochondrial (COI) nucl...

Males of many butterfly species secrete long-lasting mating plugs to prevent their mates from copulating with other males, thus ensuring their sperm will fertilize all future eggs laid. Certain species have further developed a greatly enlarged, often spectacular, externalized plug, termed a sphragis. This distinctive structure results from complex adaptations in both male and female genitalia a...