A Dazzling Surprise

Ventral Side of Mexican Silverspot, Guayabo Lodge, Turrialba, Costa Rica.

I spent more than an hour searching for the identification of this butterfly that I photographed from beneath or below in the Gardens of Guayabo Lodge, Turrialba last week. Then I suddenly realized that it is the same butterfly as yesterday’s, just the other side! 🙂 Dummy me! The closest similarity was the underside of the Dione Juno Heliconian Butterfly, but I am fairly certain that this one is Mexican! 🙂

The ventral side (underside, seen when wings are closed together or from beneath like this photo) is often used for camouflage and predator avoidance, whereas the dorsal side (top side, seen when wings are open – yesterday’s photo) is used for sexual signaling. ~https://entomologytoday.org/

Ventral Side of Mexican Silverspot, Guayabo Lodge, Turrialba, Costa Rica.

And oh yes! That yellow hanging from his mouth? I’m reasonably certain that it is pollen from one of the many flowers he was visiting. And yes, that’s an orange in lower left corner – he/she’s in an orange tree now! 🙂

¡Pura Vida!

See my Mexican Silverspot Gallery or go to

All My Costa Rica Butterflies Galleries.

4 Replies to “A Dazzling Surprise”

    1. Thank you so much Steve! I prefer to stay immersed in nature and enjoying the immense variety than talking about my weaknesses or the horrible conditions in the states! 🙂 There is so much beauty and joy to be found in nature! I will never tire of it! And a trip somewhere else in this beautiful country every month or two is my way of expanding the variety and the joy! 🙂 ¡Pura vida!

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