The butterfly Anaea aidea, known as the tropical leafwing, is a species of brush-footed butterfly (family Nymphalidae) recognized for its striking resemblance to a dried leaf when its wings are closed, a remarkable camouflage against predators. The dorsal (top) side of its wings is a vibrant orange with dark brown edges, while the ventral (underside) is a mottled brown that mimics the appearance of a dead leaf.
Anaea aidea is primarily found in Central America, from Mexico down to Panama, and it occasionally migrates into the southern United States, particularly Texas. It thrives in forested areas and open woodlands.
The name "leafwing" comes from its leaf-like appearance, which is a clever survival adaptation. The genus Anaea is named after a character from Greek mythology, while "aidea" may derive from the Latin word aideus, meaning "of the earth," possibly referencing its earthy tones. A curiosity about this butterfly is its unique feeding preference for rotting fruit over nectar.
We firmly support the sustainable tropical butterfly collections as long as they take care of conserving the rainforest where they fly and developing responsible conscious trading.
This allows us to support local ranching farms with ethically sourced material and help at the same time collectors and enthusiasts to contribute to understanding and treasuring those species.
Please consider that the specimen you will receive may slightly differ in size, shape or colour from the picture shown as you are purchasing a natural product.
All our items are carefully delivered to prevent damages on transport, papered items are packaged in glassine envelopes specifying capture/breeding data and location available. CITES certificate will be provided in the specimens required.
HOW WE GRADE OUR LISTINGS (SPECIMENS)
As Insect specimens are natural products, some are bred and some others caught in wild, the quality can vary greatly.
The guide below explains the grading used for specimens in our listings.
A1 No visible imperfections, both antennas, no tearing, scratches or missing part of the wings (or as perfect as you could expect from wild caught specimens), with exception of some leg damage.
A1- Very minor damage, normally restricted to antenna damage or antennae attached separately in the envelope.
A- These specimens have minor damage, such as antenna damage, or minor flight wear such as small scratches, minor sale damage, some minor fraying/chipping around the edges of the wings.
A2 More significant damage, such as major flight wear, small rips, small pieces missing from the wings, damage to the thorax or abdomen.
B or Second Grade These specimens have similar damage to A2 specimens, but to a more significant degree. Usually used as parts replacement or art work material
| SPECIMEN | |
|---|---|
| Country | Mexico |
| Locality | Los Tuxtlas Veracruz |
| Collection type | Wild collected |
| Bio-zone | Neotropical |
We supply both rare and common species from all parts of the world.
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United States, United Kingdom and Mexico
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