Observation date: August 01, 2019
Submitted by: Susan McSwain
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: When I took the photo, I assumed the butterfly was Enodia anthedon. However, when I downloaded the photo, I noticed 5 eye-spots on the ventral forewing. Most of the literature I accessed indicated that this could be Enodia creola. It was photographed on horse dung, and I only took one photo since I had not planned to submit it to BAMONA. However, if it is indeed creola, it is not listed under Nelson County, VA.
Status: Resident
Verified by: drerbium
Verified date: January 04, 2021
Coordinator notes: The issue is even more complex because there are 3 species to consider, E anthedon (resident), E. Creola (stray), E. Portlandia (stray). Portlandia and anthedon used to be considered same species, 2 subspecies. Portlandia and Creola have nearly the same range and look nearly identical. There are features identified as separating them, but 5th spot is not one of those. Creola usually has 5 spots but even anthedon does upon occasion (see book by Howe and go by old naming convention). The 4 spots look more like typical anthedon in relative sizes. Features used to separate the 3 species are best summarized photographically on p.255 of Swift guide by Glassberg. The forewing PM band of this specimen looks like Portlandia on top half, but Anthedon on bottom half. HW looks like typical Anthedon. The antenna look like they have some black, typical of Anthedon. This specimen does not look like Creola in any way except for the 5th spot, and even that is smaller than normal for Creola.This is one of those cases where a top view is essential, not just underside. Noone worries about separating Creola from anthedon because the top side is very different. Only Portlandia and Creola are confusing on top side.. So if you ever see this again, catch it and photograph the open wings.
Based on this, the only choice I can see is between Portlandia stray vs Anthedon resident. I expect the antenna color is one of the ways it was decided to separate these into 2 species and that intermediate versions between these occur in VA, as stated in Howe where a subspecies of Portlandia called Androcardia was shown and listed for Southern VA. So, given all of this, without a top view, I think this has to be assigned to Anthedon. But, if you find evidence otherwise, please provide.
