More butterflies seen in Costa Rica

[DavidD]

Can you help with these butterflies which I have not been able to identify? Seen in Costa Rica in woods near west coast between Punta Arena and Colorado.
I think that the first two are some kind of blue. The photos are of two different butterflies, which may (or may not) be the same species.
The third looks similar, but different to my eyes.
Suggestions very welcome.
David

[Padfield]

I suggest these are all Pierids in the genus Eurema. I haven't got my books in England with me, but there are several palish Eurema which resemble your butterfly - for instance, E. agave (http://www.ross.no/communicate/2014/12/01/eurema-agave/).

I'll be back with my books in a few days, if no one gives a definitive answer before then. Right now - Mastermind final ...

Guy

[NickMorgan]

Yes, definitely a Eurema, but the species is a little more difficult. They can be so variable from place to place and often have a wet and dry season form. I would plump for Eurema nise, I think!

[bugboy]

My only costa rican butterfly books rather unhelpfully only show set upperside pictures of Eurema

[celery]

Top two almost certainly Barred Yellow Eurema daira. Last one probably same species unless significantly different size or habitat. ID from static photos with no scale often rests with the appearance (or not), and position of, one (or two) tiny dark spots on the underside of hind wing near to the body.

Daira very variable so third photo is likely this too. Torn wing in first shot reveals upper wing black bar which gives the species its common name.

Little Yellow E. lisa and Mimosa Yellow E. nise usually much more heavily marked. Dina Yellow E. dina much larger. Sleepy Orange E. nicippe much er... orangier.

Barred Yellow (Eurema daira)

Quite a few Costa Rican butterflies also found in southern Florida - which is where my photos come from. Lots more shots of Eurema species in my image section on UKB and dozens more on my Flickr page.

cheers, celery

[DavidD]

Thank you all for your suggestions. I have been googling images for Eurema. I have also been checking my photos.
I have an out of focus in flight shot.This butterfly then settled and is the third one in my original posting. I am displaying it now.
The in flight shot was leading me towards Eurema elathea, but I can see Eurema daira is a possibility.
All the observations were in the same area, within a range of about 10-15 minutes walk. The first two were in the evening, the third in the following morning.

[DavidD]

Very nice photos, Celery! Thanks for the link.

[celery]

Aha! David, your suggestion of False Barred Yellow E. elathea looks good. They don't have those in Florida!

Just to confuse matters further, I have seen Barred Yellow with that combination of wing colours though.
I guess with a species Complex like that of Eurema we'll never really know. I reckon you should say that each individual you saw was of a different species... then you can chalk up a few more on your life list

[NickMorgan]

Should have spotted the bars on the wing in the first picture!
This is a useful site with comparisons between the species: http://www7.inra.fr/papillon/papilion/p ... eurema.htm
Here is a picture of David Spencer Smith's amazing book on butterflies of the Caribbean. Eurema diara are numbers 14 and 15 and Eurema elathea are pictures 16. (I hope I haven't breached any copyrights as it is long out-of-print)

I saw Eurema elathea on St Lucia, but it was hardly marked on the underside.
I used to think that I knew the difference between the species, but now I am even more confused!