AnimaliaHighest rank in taxonomy. Groups all life into domains: Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, etc.IUCN NEInternational Union for Conservation of Nature — the world authority on species extinction risk, using standardized criteria. — Not Evaluated — not yet assessed against the IUCN Red List criteria.In ProgressCurrent stage of this record in the editorial review workflow. Recent Sighting
Nessaea aglaura
Aglaura Olivewing
(Doubleday, [1848])
Detailed Texts Multi-lang
A fascinating medium-sized butterfly famous for possessing true green pigment, a rarity in Lepidoptera. The dorsal surface of the wings is dark brown to olive-black, dynamically divided by a striking, bright diagonal orange band on the forewings and a soft blue patch on the hindwings. The underside is a solid, brilliant pale olive-green or apple-green, adorned with subtle brown lines that replicate a living leaf.
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Last modified by
Julia Trouin
TaxonomyBiological classification ranks placing this species within the tree of life, from Kingdom down to Genus.
PhylumRank below Kingdom. Groups organisms sharing a fundamental body plan (e.g., Chordata = vertebrates and some invertebrates).Arthropoda
ClassRank below Phylum. Subdivides by structural traits (e.g., Mammalia, Aves, Reptilia, Insecta).Insecta
OrderRank below Class. Groups related families sharing common ancestry (e.g., Carnivora, Primates).Lepidoptera
FamilyRank below Order. Groups closely related genera (e.g., Felidae = cats, Canidae = dogs).Nymphalidae
GenusRank just above Species. The first word in the two-part binomial scientific name.Nessaea
Taxonomic AuthorityThe scientist who first formally described and published this species, followed by the year of publication.(Doubleday, [1848])
Record Completeness
96%Coming soon
Ecology & StatusHow this species lives: habitat preferences, diet, behavior, population status, and role in its ecosystem.
OriginWhether the species is native (evolved here), endemic (found only here), or introduced by human activity.
Native
Population TrendDirection of change in population size over time: increasing, stable, decreasing, or unknown.
Stable
Breeding SeasonTime of year when this species typically reproduces or flowers.
Year Round
Trophic RolePosition in the food chain: producer, herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, decomposer, or parasite.
Herbivore
Recent SightingsWhether this species has been observed in the wild in Costa Rica within recent years.
Yes
Habitat SummaryOverview of the specific ecosystems and environments where this species is found in Costa Rica. Multi-lang
Inhabits primary and old secondary lowland tropical rainforests, dense riverine forests, and humid forest paths from sea level up to roughly 1,000 meters elevation. It operates primarily within the deep, shaded understory where direct light is minimal.BehaviourDaily activity patterns, movement, territory use, foraging style, and seasonal behavioral changes. Multi-lang
Diurnal. Adults are highly alert and spend their lives hidden in dense, damp foliage close to the jungle floor. They are notoriously skittish, flying with a swift, snapping sound when disturbed, and instantly flattening themselves underneath leaves or resting flat on the ground with wings closed tightly.Social ActivitySocial structure: whether the species is solitary, paired, or colonial; hierarchy and communication. Multi-lang
Exclusively solitary. Unlike many related tropical nymphs, males do not form mud-puddling congregations on riverbanks; they prefer to remain isolated in deep shaded woods.Feeding GuildWhat the species eats, how it forages or hunts, and its role as a consumer in the food web. Multi-lang
Herbivore (Folivore as larvae, Saprophage/Frugivore as adults).Trophic Chain DetailsSpecific interactions in local food webs: prey species, predators, competitors, and scavengers. Multi-lang
Larvae obligately feed on leaves of toxic woody vines in the family Euphorbiaceae, specifically Plukenetia (such as Plukenetia volubilis) and Dalechampia. Adults do not extract food from flowers; they feed on juices of overripe decomposing fruits, tree sap, and nutrient-rich mammal dung. Preyed upon by specialized forest birds, geckos, and salticid spiders.Reproductive BehaviourMating strategies, courtship displays, nesting or spawning behavior, and parental care. Multi-lang
Males hold small territorial sun flecks in the low canopy or high understory. Courtship is extremely quick and occurs out of human sight. The mated female carefully selects host vines containing active defense glands to deposit single, ribbed, green-tinted eggs on young leaves.Physical Measures
Length (cm)
6.0 - 7.5 cm
Weight (Grams)
0.2 g - 0.5 g
Offspring per cycleTypical number of young (live births, eggs, or seeds) produced by one adult in a single reproductive event or breeding season.20 - 70
Sexual DimorphismObservable physical differences between males and females of the same species (e.g., size, coloration, features).Yes
Lifespan
Sexual MaturityAge at which the individual becomes capable of reproducing for the first time.
1 - 3 Days
Gestation / IncubationDuration from fertilization to birth (mammals) or to hatching (egg-laying species).
6 - 9
Lifespan EstimatedExpected duration of life from birth to natural death under wild conditions.
Males3 - 6 Weeks
Females3 - 6 Weeks
Sexual DimorphismPhysical differences in size, coloration, or morphology between males and females of this species.
Males Multi-lang
Males possess slightly more angular forewings featuring broad, intensely vivid, glowing neon-orange diagonal bands. Their hindwings hold a bright metallic powder-blue patch on the upper side.
Females Multi-lang
Females are slightly larger and rounder. The diagonal bands on their forewings are paler, often a muted pale orange or yellowish-cream, and the blue patches on their dorsal hindwings are noticeably restricted or entirely absent.
Evolutionary AdaptationsInherited traits and behaviors that improve the species' survival and reproduction in its specific environment. Multi-lang
Unlike most butterflies that produce green effects via microscopic structural scales that refract light, Nessaea species synthesize chemical pterobilin, creating a permanent, organic green matrix on the underside that matches forest leaves flawlessly.
When resting with wings vertically closed, the butterfly displays only its leaf-green undersides, allowing it to remain completely invisible against green jungle foliage, even when exposed in plain sight.
Main ThreatsDocumented pressures reducing the population: habitat loss, hunting, disease, climate change, and invasive species. Multi-lang
Widespread habitat destruction in Central and South America caused by logging, cattle ranching expansion, and urban sprawl, which targets fragile Euphorbiaceae understory host flora.
Interesting FactsSurprising or notable facts that highlight what makes this species unique or ecologically important. Multi-lang
Nessaea aglaura is one of the few organisms on Earth where the beautiful green color does not fade after death; museum specimens collected over a century ago still retain their bright, vivid apple-green underside pigment perfectly.