Geni,

Numbers 3 and 4 are Reakirt's blue.

Sandy

I believe number 8 is a White-rayed Patch (Chlosyne ehrenbergii) and number 14 are Juno Heliconian (Silverspot) Dione juno. I am way out of my league here and am only going by the book I have. So, you will have to check for yourself. Fantastic pictures though! My hubby wants to go on vacation to an exotic spot to look at butterflies. I say "why, when we can barely identify everything in our back yard" :)!

Elisabeth

Number 10 is most likely a Marine Blue, but could be a Cassius Blue. I can't see if there is a white patchy area on the lower part of forewing as its covered up by hindwing.

Could #11 be a Golden-Banded Skipper? I looked at the butterflies that are found in Mexico and was stunned by how many are there!

Number 7 is the Magnificent Swallowtail or Papilio g. garamus.

Sandy

Here is a link that might be useful: Magnificent Swallowtail

I've included the link for a good site for help IDing Mexican BFs. You have to know the family as the pictures are listed by family and you just can't browse.

A hint for someone - number 9 is a metalmark.

Here is a link that might be useful: Mexican Butterfly Images by name

#2 reminds me of a Mexican Leafwing, Anaea aidea

Jeff

MY guess for #9 is Rawson's Metalmark. I waffled between this and Fulmen but the one in the pic seemed to have white edges so I went with Rawson's. Who knows?!?!

Meredith

# i think is a type of skipper, i forget which species, but i know 6 definately is a tiger swallowtail, but im not sure if its eastern or western. Also, 14 is mating malachites. Sorry to steal from other people, but you can maybe give other people seeds.

I vote for genus Agraulis on #14.

1. Was thinking metalmark of some kind - perhaps a Tricolored Fiestamark (Symmachia tricolor) or a Northern Beemark (Chamaelimnas cydonia) -- BUT after seeing that next photo with that great big striped body and ventral markings am leaving it at some type of moth!!!

2. Tropical Leagwing (Anaea aidea)

3. Looks just like the dorsal photos I have of the Reakirt's Blues (Hemiargus isola)

4. moth myth

5. Thought White-rayed Metalmark or White-rayed Pixie then thought White-Rayed Patch but the markings don't match...am puzzled because it appears to be mud puddling - not normal for a moth although it looks a tad similar in shape to our white tipped black moth but it's not that at all...so when all else fails...I'm yelling MOTH!!! :o)

6. Two-tailed Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio multicaudatus)

7. Magnificent Swallowtail (Papilio garamas garamas) looks to be male because of the blue on the hindwings. Niiiiice...now send some this way!!!

8. White-rayed Patch (Chlosyne ehrenbergii)

9. Metalmark - perhaps Falcate Metalmark (Emesis tenedia) or Fatal Metalmark (Calephelis nemesis) or Rawson's Metalmark (Calephelis rawsoni) - all those little buggers look the same to me :o)

10. Marine Blue (Leptotes marina)

11. Golden Banded-Skipper (Autochton cellus) or Sierra Madre Banded-Skipper (Autochon siermadror)

12. Theona Checkerspot (Chlosyne theona) looks like the southern species of the US

13. Theona Checkerspot (Chlosyne theona) looks like the northern species of MX

14. Those look too dark to be Gulf Frits - perhaps they are Juno Heliconians (Dione juno) or Mexican Silverspot (Dione moneta)

~ Cat

You guys are very good. I've admitted that I don't know these species, but in cases where you disagree, I have the advantage of having seen them in the flesh (do butterflies have flesh?), and for some of them I have additional photos that may show identifying characteristics better than the ones I first posted. Here's what we have so far:

No. 2: Mexican or Tropical Leafwing (Anaea aidea) -- That's what I think too. The plant, I believe, is a Croton.

No. 3: Reakirt's Blue (Echinargus isola) -- This was my first guess as well. The most striking thing about this butterfly is its tiny size. It sits easily on a blade of grass. Most of the time, it sits with its wings folded. The underside was pale bluish-gray with dark dots, although I don't think the dots were as pronounced as in the BMNA photo.

No. 6: Two-Tailed Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio multicaudata pusillus)? You can see a lot more details than I can, Cat.

No. 7: Magnificent Swallowtail, (Papilio garamas) These are huge butterflies and very populous here. Next summer, zinnias will be the first seeds I plant.

No. 8: White-rayed Checkerspot or Patch (Chlosyne ehrenbergii) -- I am confident this is correct.

No. 9: Rawson's Metalmark (Calephelis rawsoni) The match looks better on the BMNA site than on Mariposas Mexicanas, but unless someone convinces me otherwise, I think this is correct.

No. 10: Marine Blue (Leptotes marina)or Cassius Blue (Leptotes cassius)? I have a hard time seeing any difference. The plant is one of the Crotalaria species. Here's another picture:
{{gwi:540752}}From Butterflies and Moths of Michoac

No. 11: Golden Banded Skipper (Autochton cellus) -- That's gotta be it. Or could it be East Mexican or Sierra Madre Banded Skipper (Autochton siermadror)?

No. 12: Theona Checkerspot (Chlosyne theona mullinsi) -- Tentative, but likely.

No. 13: Theona Checkerspot (Chlosyne theona thekla) -- Tentative, but likely.

No. 14: Malachites? Junos? Gulf Fritillaries? Mexican Silverspots? After comparing all the pictures I could find, I think they are Juno Longwings (Dione juno huascuma). I base my judgment on the length of the forewing, the shape of the eyespot, the absence of any pink on the forewing, and the overall brown tint.

That leaves Numbers 1, 4 and 5 still to be identified. And, of course, the others are open to argument.

geni

...hmmmm...still pondering # 5. Looks like ctenucha venosa but underside still doesn't match. Perhaps something in the same family.

~ Cat

I am on my way back home to Alabama. I expect to be there by late Sunday. If each of you who participated in the challenge will send me your mailing address, I'll get the milkweed seeds in the mail shortly.
geni