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
Siproeta epaphus
Rusty-tipped Page
(Latrielle, 1813)
Detailed Texts Multi-lang
A large and highly recognizable butterfly featuring rich charcoal-brown to velvety black inner wings, bisected by a bold, clean white diagonal band. The apex of the forewings boasts a dramatic, bright rusty-orange patch. The underside mimics a dead leaf with cryptic shades of brown, orange, and white.
Added by
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.Siproeta
Taxonomic AuthorityThe scientist who first formally described and published this species, followed by the year of publication.(Latrielle, 1813)
Record Completeness
95%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 encountered in secondary growth forests, damp river valleys, forest edges, and agricultural clearings from southern Texas and Mexico, through Central America, down into Peru and Brazil. It thrives in both humid lowlands and mid-elevation cloud forest corridors.BehaviourDaily activity patterns, movement, territory use, foraging style, and seasonal behavioral changes. Multi-lang
Diurnal. They hold a steady, fluttering and gliding flight pattern near the forest floor and understory. They are remarkably active throughout sunny days, frequently visiting damp mud banks to engage in puddling (extracting sodium and structural minerals from moist substrate).Social ActivitySocial structure: whether the species is solitary, paired, or colonial; hierarchy and communication. Multi-lang
Generally solitary in nature during flight and feeding, though multiple males can routinely accumulate peacefully at prime muddy puddling locations along forest paths or riversides.Feeding GuildWhat the species eats, how it forages or hunts, and its role as a consumer in the food web. Multi-lang
Nectarivorous and frugivorous adult, herbivorous larva (folivore).Trophic Chain DetailsSpecific interactions in local food webs: prey species, predators, competitors, and scavengers. Multi-lang
Larvae are specialized folivores consuming leaves of the Acanthaceae family, notably Ruellia, Blechum, and Justica species. Adults possess generalist adult diets, readily feeding on nectar from a variety of low-growing flowers, rotting fallen fruits (such as mangos and bananas), and animal dung.Reproductive BehaviourMating strategies, courtship displays, nesting or spawning behavior, and parental care. Multi-lang
Mating occurs during daytime flights. Females seek out host plants located in shaded forest gaps or damp undergrowth, depositing solitary green, ribbed eggs on the lower surfaces of fresh host plant leaves.Physical Measures
Length (cm)
7.0 - 8.5 cm
Weight (Grams)
0.2 g - 0.45 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).No
Lifespan
Sexual MaturityAge at which the individual becomes capable of reproducing for the first time.
5 - 8 Days
Gestation / IncubationDuration from fertilization to birth (mammals) or to hatching (egg-laying species).
4 - 6
Lifespan EstimatedExpected duration of life from birth to natural death under wild conditions.
Males1 - 2 Months
Females1 - 2 Months
Evolutionary AdaptationsInherited traits and behaviors that improve the species' survival and reproduction in its specific environment. Multi-lang
Features incredible dual-aspect camouflage: the dazzling brown, white, and orange dorsal side flashes brightly during erratic flight to confuse predators, while the mottled, cryptic ventral side perfectly mimics a decaying leaf when the wings are snapped shut at rest.
Larvae develop warning coloration and fleshy, branching scoli (spines) that deter generalist invertebrate and avian predators from consumption.
Main ThreatsDocumented pressures reducing the population: habitat loss, hunting, disease, climate change, and invasive species. Multi-lang
Widespread urban expansion and intensive pesticide application in agricultural zones, which targets local weeds and eradicates their larval host plants.
Interesting FactsSurprising or notable facts that highlight what makes this species unique or ecologically important. Multi-lang
Unlike butterflies confined to dense canopy ceilings, the Rusty-tipped Page is highly adaptable and frequently interacts with human environments, commonly wandering into tropical fruit orchards and urban gardens.