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
Junonia evarete
Tropical Buckeye
(Cramer, 1779)
Detailed Texts Multi-lang
A medium-sized butterfly with dark brown wings decorated with large, striking eyespots (ocelli) bordered with orange and yellow. The forewings display concentric dark circles and pale cream bars, while the hindwings feature two distinctive large eyespots used to deter attackers.
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Anonymous Curator
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Under Review
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.Junonia
Taxonomic AuthorityThe scientist who first formally described and published this species, followed by the year of publication.(Cramer, 1779)
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
Commonly found in open, disturbed tropical and subtropical lowlands, including coastal mangroves, sand dunes, fields, pastures, gardens, and along sunny roadsides where weed host plants are present.BehaviourDaily activity patterns, movement, territory use, foraging style, and seasonal behavioral changes. Multi-lang
Strictly diurnal. They fly rapidly close to the substrate, frequently landing on bare soil, sand, or low rocks to bask in full sunlight with their wings spread horizontally to absorb ambient heat.Social ActivitySocial structure: whether the species is solitary, paired, or colonial; hierarchy and communication. Multi-lang
Solitary. Individuals maintain distinct feeding and perching areas. While multiple butterflies may utilize the same nectar source, they do not aggregate or coordinate behaviors.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, Nectarivore as adults).Trophic Chain DetailsSpecific interactions in local food webs: prey species, predators, competitors, and scavengers. Multi-lang
Larvae feed on host plants from families like Verbenaceae, Acanthaceae, and Plantaginaceae. Adults feed intensely on flower nectar from low-growing wildflowers. Preyed upon by birds, lizards, praying mantises, and web-building spiders.Reproductive BehaviourMating strategies, courtship displays, nesting or spawning behavior, and parental care. Multi-lang
Males patrol open paths or perch on bare ground during midday hours, alertly waiting to pursue receptive females. Receptive females mate, then lay single green eggs under host plant leaves.Physical Measures
Length (cm)
4.5 - 6.5 cm
Weight (Grams)
0.1 g - 0.4 g
Offspring per cycleTypical number of young (live births, eggs, or seeds) produced by one adult in a single reproductive event or breeding season.15 - 80
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 - 2 Days
Gestation / IncubationDuration from fertilization to birth (mammals) or to hatching (egg-laying species).
3 - 6
Lifespan EstimatedExpected duration of life from birth to natural death under wild conditions.
Males2 - 4 Weeks
Females2 - 4 Weeks
Sexual DimorphismPhysical differences in size, coloration, or morphology between males and females of this species.
Males Multi-lang
Males are smaller on average, featuring sharper wing contours, slightly more intense blue reflective scales near the hindwing eyespots, and active patrolling behavior.
Females Multi-lang
Females possess a wider wingspan with noticeably rounded wing profiles, muted base coloration, and larger, thicker abdominal profiles optimized for egg carrying.
Evolutionary AdaptationsInherited traits and behaviors that improve the species' survival and reproduction in its specific environment. Multi-lang
The ventral side of the wings is dull brown and cryptically patterned, mimicking dead leaves when the butterfly rests with its wings closed to hide from predators.
Adults possess strong, erratic flight behaviors that make them difficult for insectivorous birds and dragonflies to track and capture mid-air.
Main ThreatsDocumented pressures reducing the population: habitat loss, hunting, disease, climate change, and invasive species. Multi-lang
Habitat destruction driven by coastal real estate development and the widespread use of broad-spectrum chemical insecticides in urban gardening.
Removal of wild nectar sources and herbaceous host plants like Stachytarpheta and Avicennia species, which are often classified as undesirable weeds.
Interesting FactsSurprising or notable facts that highlight what makes this species unique or ecologically important. Multi-lang
The black caterpillars are solitary and covered with metallic blue or purple tubercles bearing sharp, branched spines that ward off hungry predators.