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
Catonephele numilia
Numilia Shoemaker
(Cramer, [1775])
Detailed Texts Multi-lang
A medium-sized butterfly famous for its extreme sexual dimorphism. Males are velvety black on the upper side with six prominent, glowing orange-yellow circular spots across the forewings and hindwings. Females are entirely different, sporting a dark brown dorsal surface adorned with a complex pattern of pale yellow bands and scattered white or cream spots. The underside of both sexes resembles a dead brown leaf, providing exceptional camouflage.
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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.Catonephele
Taxonomic AuthorityThe scientist who first formally described and published this species, followed by the year of publication.(Cramer, [1775])
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 secondary lowland tropical rainforests, premontane moist forests, and shaded forest edges from sea level up to around 1,200 meters. It spends much of its time in the forest understory and sub-canopy.BehaviourDaily activity patterns, movement, territory use, foraging style, and seasonal behavioral changes. Multi-lang
Diurnal. They are active during the sunnier hours of the day but prefer the shaded interior of forests rather than open canopies. Both sexes spend long intervals resting head-downwards on tree trunks with closed wings, perfectly mimicking bark or leaves, but will suddenly snap their wings open to flash their warning colors if a rival approaches.Social ActivitySocial structure: whether the species is solitary, paired, or colonial; hierarchy and communication. Multi-lang
Solitary and territorial. Males show strong site fidelity and aggressively chase away other males or even unrelated species from their chosen sunspots or tree trunks.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 feed exclusively on the foliage of Euphorbiaceae plants, primarily within the genera Alchornea and Dalechampia. Adult shoemakers do not visit flowers for nectar; instead, they derive nutrients from rotting fruits, fermenting tree sap, animal dung, and mineralized damp ground. They are preyed upon by insectivorous birds, anoles, and large orb-weaver spiders.Reproductive BehaviourMating strategies, courtship displays, nesting or spawning behavior, and parental care. Multi-lang
Males establish perches on vertical tree trunks at heights of 2 to 5 meters, waiting to ambush passing females. After mating, females disperse through the forest understory to locate suitable fresh leaves of Alchornea trees, where they lay their distinct yellow-tinted eggs singly on the undersides.Physical Measures
Length (cm)
6.5 - 7.8 cm
Weight (Grams)
0.25 g - 0.6 g
Offspring per cycleTypical number of young (live births, eggs, or seeds) produced by one adult in a single reproductive event or breeding season.30 - 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 - 3 Days
Gestation / IncubationDuration from fertilization to birth (mammals) or to hatching (egg-laying species).
5 - 7
Lifespan EstimatedExpected duration of life from birth to natural death under wild conditions.
Males3 - 5 Weeks
Females3 - 5 Weeks
Sexual DimorphismPhysical differences in size, coloration, or morphology between males and females of this species.
Males Multi-lang
The male features a rich, velvety black background color punctuated by large, brilliant neon orange-yellow circular patches on both the forewings and hindwings. They are slightly smaller and more slender than females.
Females Multi-lang
The female is noticeably larger and stouter, with a dark brownish-black dorsal wing color covered in long diagonal yellow bands across the forewings and rows of cream spots near the outer margins of the hindwings, superficially mimicking completely different butterfly subfamilies.
Evolutionary AdaptationsInherited traits and behaviors that improve the species' survival and reproduction in its specific environment. Multi-lang
The ventral wing surfaces provide perfect crypsis, mimicking decaying leaves complete with veins and dark spots, allowing the butterfly to completely disappear from sight when it closes its wings against tree trunks or leaf litter.
Adults fly with a remarkably swift, powerful, and undulating motion close to the ground or around tree trunks, making them highly unpredictable targets for predatory birds and lizards.
Main ThreatsDocumented pressures reducing the population: habitat loss, hunting, disease, climate change, and invasive species. Multi-lang
Deforestation and forest fragmentation driven by cattle ranching and agricultural expansion, which removes its larval host plants in the Euphorbiaceae family.
Interesting FactsSurprising or notable facts that highlight what makes this species unique or ecologically important. Multi-lang
The common name 'Shoemaker' comes from the historic observation of these butterflies frequently settling on the leather shoes of forest travelers to sip mineral-rich sweat.