Calisto hysius is a small butterfly endemic to the island of Hispaniola in the West Indies, with a wingspan of only 0.8 inches or 2 centimeters. While it has eyespots and orange highlights on the ventral or underside of its wings, the dorsal or upper side is usually a mottled brown color.

Calisto is a member of the family Nymphalidae, known as brush-footed butterflies which often stand on only four of their six legs, and the subfamily Satyrinae, which typically feed on grasses as caterpillars.

Florida Museum scientists have researched the taxonomic and biogeographical characteristics the Calisto genus.

brown and orange butterfly on twig
Calisto hysius butterfly.

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Andrei Sourakov’s blog

DNA bar coding improves tropical butterfly classification

McGuire Center for Lepidoptera & Biodiversity at the Florida Museum

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