Lyropteryx apollonia
# Lyropteryx apollonia

Lyropteryx apollonia, the Apollo metalmark, pink-dotted metalmark or blue-rayed metalmark, is a butterfly of the family Riodinidae, subfamily Riodininae, tribe Riodinini. The species was first described by John O. Westwood in 1851.

## Description

The wingspan of Lyropteryx apollonia is about 35–43 millimetres (1.4–1.7 in). Upper surface of the wings is black, with numerous longitudinal streaks of metallic blue-green colours on the outer half. The undersides are black, with the basal half spotted with purple-pink and the outer half with black and white stripes. Forewings are large, subtriangular, while the hindwings are relatively small.

## Distribution

This rare species is widespread in the tropical areas of the South America, particularly in Ecuador, Brazil (Acre, Amazonas, Mato Grosso), Bolivia, Peru and Colombia.

## Habitat

Lyropteryx apollonia can be found in tropical rainforests, at an elevation of about 200–600 metres (660–1,970 ft)

## Subspecies

* Lyropteryx apollonia apollonia Stichel, 1910 (Brazil: Amazonas, Bolivia, Peru)
* Lyropteryx apollonia diana Stichel, 1910 (Colombia)
* Lyropteryx apollonia sparsa Stichel, 1924 (Brazil: Mato Grosso)
